Kenmore Sound

Development · Occurred · Outcome pending · Jun 8, 2026

STEP housing zoning changes scheduled for public hearing

A public hearing on amendments to Kenmore's zoning and land-use rules for STEP housing was scheduled for June 8, 2026, with a second hearing added for July 13 after staff identified further amendments. 1

What the records say

In materials published ahead of the June 8, 2026, City Council meeting, the record said a public hearing was scheduled to consider proposed code amendments to Kenmore Municipal Code (KMC) Title 18 Zoning and Title 19 Land Use Procedures. The amendments relate to Emergency Shelter, Transitional Housing, Emergency Housing, and Permanent Supportive Housing—collectively known as STEP housing—and are tied to draft Ordinance 26-0642. The item was to be presented by Debbie Bent, Assistant City Manager/Community Development Director. According to the agenda bill, after the hearing notice was published, staff and the city attorney identified additional substantive amendments needed for consistency with state law and across zoning districts, so a second public hearing was scheduled for July 13, 2026, with ordinance adoption to be considered July 20, 2026. The bill also notes the council had already amended the draft at its May 11, 2026 meeting, including direction on the review process for STEP projects of 100 or more units and removal of Good Neighbor Agreement language. 1

  • A public hearing on STEP housing zoning regulations (draft Ordinance 26-0642) was scheduled for the City Council meeting on June 8, 2026.
  • The proposed changes target KMC Title 18 (Zoning) and Title 19 (Land Use Procedures).
  • After the hearing notice was published, staff and the city attorney identified additional substantive amendments, and a second public hearing was scheduled for July 13, 2026, with ordinance adoption to be considered July 20, 2026.
  • At the May 11, 2026 meeting, the council directed amendments to the draft regulations, including the review process for STEP projects of 100 or more units, and struck Good Neighbor Agreement language from the draft.
  • Virtual testimony required pre-registration through a form that opened Tuesdays at noon and closed Mondays at noon.

Why it matters

These amendments would update how the city's zoning and land-use procedures apply to emergency shelters and supportive housing, which affects where they can be located and how they are reviewed. Residents who wanted to weigh in were instructed to pre-register for virtual testimony using a form that opened Tuesdays at noon and closed Mondays at noon before the meeting. 1

What changed / what's next

  • The June 8, 2026 agenda packet included a public hearing item for amendments to KMC Title 18 and Title 19 related to STEP housing regulations, with a draft ordinance and revised draft regulations attached. 1
  • The outcome of the June 8 public hearing and any subsequent council action are not established by the supplied pre-meeting record. 1
  • The agenda bill lists specific additional amendments under consideration for the July 13 hearing, including use allowances for permanent supportive and transitional housing in the Neighborhood Business, Community Business, and Public and Semi-Public zones, and allowing emergency housing and shelters as permitted rather than conditional uses in the Urban Residential zone. 1
  • The available records do not establish the meeting's outcome.