Redmond Planning Commission Meeting – October 23, 2025

The Redmond Planning Commission convened on October 23, 2025, to approve a recommendation and report on the Capital Facilities Plan 2050 (CFP) and to conduct a study session on the Transportation Master Plan (TMP). Commissioners heard public testimony, reviewed Transportation Demand Management (TDM) strategies, and discussed updates to the Transportation Facilities Plan (TFP). The meeting also covered schedule changes and administrative updates.

Public Comments & Testimony

• David Morton (Redmond 98053) commented on the Transportation Master Plan update, raising four concerns: (1) removal of the Avondale Road school bus pull-outs without a clear alternative – requested safety be addressed or the corridor study prioritized; (2) unrealistic revenue forecast – the TFP projects flat growth through 2050 without accounting for inflation or rate increases, relies on $462 million total with 18% from federal/state grants, and lacks contingency plans; (3) equity – only 13% of TFP investments serve neighborhoods outside urban centers yet 79% is multimodal; (4) TDM enforcement – mobility management plans lack monitoring, and Action 2B needs clear compliance procedures. He urged the commission to address school bus safety, funding contingencies, neighborhood equity, and enforceable TDM measures.

Discussion Items

• Capital Facilities Plan 2050 (CFP): Staff presented the final CFP update, noting this was the third commission review. The issues matrix was closed after resolving two remaining items from Commissioner Coleman. Commissioners reviewed the Planning Commission report and recommendation, which incorporated past discussions. A motion to approve the recommendation on the general government portion of the CFP was made, seconded, and passed unanimously (all ayes). A subsequent motion to approve the report for City Council also passed unanimously. The CFP is part of the Redmond 2050 comprehensive plan update.
• Transportation Master Plan (TMP) Study Session: Staff (Michael Hinz, Francesca Liberti) reviewed GMA requirements and focused on two chapters: Transportation Demand Management (TDM) and Transportation Facilities Plan (TFP). TDM strategies include the Go Redmond program, school pool (focused on elementary schools), parking management, mobility management plans, and first-last mile connections (e.g., a microtransit shuttle pilot starting early 2026, two-year pilot with Circuit Transit, serving downtown and Education Hill to light rail). Extensive discussion on e-bike safety – staff noted ongoing work with police and school districts, the need for state-level legislation (Senator Dhingra suggested as a partner), and comparisons with other jurisdictions (Mercer Island ordinance). Commissioners requested TDM include e-mobility safety for students. On the TFP, staff listed completed projects removed (e.g., 156th Avenue Cycle Track, 152nd/70th Street cycle tracks) and projects removed due to alignment with Redmond 2050 (e.g., Willows Road widening, 148th northbound through lane between Bell-Red and SR 520). The Avondale school bus pull-outs were deferred to a broader corridor study prioritized for 2026. New project added: a lower-cost solution on Sammamish Valley Road (51st to Bell-Red) – extending a shoulder with barriers instead of a $20 million elevated path. Commissioners asked about maps, equity across neighborhoods, and safety on existing facilities (e.g., 156th cycle track pedestrian confusion). Staff clarified the TFP focuses on capacity projects, not safety (covered under the Safer Streets Action Plan). The schedule was outlined: public review draft available November 12, commission study session November 19, public hearing December 3, final recommendation December 17, City Council study session January 13, adoption February 3, 2026.

Key Outcomes

• Vote: Unanimous approval of the Capital Facilities Plan 2050 recommendation and report for City Council.
• Decision: Commission provided feedback on TDM and TFP chapters; staff will incorporate into the public review draft of the TMP.
• Next Steps: Public review draft released November 12; commission to discuss on November 19; public hearing on December 3; final recommendation on December 17; City Council adoption targeted for February 3, 2026.
• Administrative: Meeting schedule changed – no meeting November 5; future meetings on first and third Thursdays (November 19, December 3, December 17). Commissioners reminded to set up city email on personal devices and complete a 15-minute security training.