Redmond Planning Commission Meeting – December 3, 2025

The Redmond Planning Commission held a hybrid meeting on December 3, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to approximately 9:00 p.m. The meeting included a public hearing and study session on the Transportation Master Plan (TMP), a briefing on the cumulative effects analysis of the 2025-26 Annual Docket, and a preview of the 2026 Code Amendment Series. Commissioners approved the agenda and November 19, 2025 meeting summary unanimously.

Consent Calendar

• Unanimous approval of the agenda (motion by Commissioner Copley, second by Commissioner Gagnier).
• Unanimous approval of the November 19, 2025 meeting summary (motion by Commissioner Copley, second by Commissioner Gagnier).

Public Comments & Testimony

• David Morton (Redmond 98053): Expressed concern about the cumulative effects analysis for the 6900 188th Avenue Northeast land use amendment, noting that converting nearly five acres of business park land may reduce employment and related business taxes. He urged the commission to consider long-term economic sustainability over cyclical market conditions and requested concrete data on tax revenue impacts.
• Kelly Reaver (Move Redmond, 8525 163rd Court NE): Expressed strong support for the TMP, highlighting its focus on safety, sustainability, ADA transition, first/last mile connections to light rail, and curb management. Urged the commission to support passage of the plan.
• David Morton (second appearance): Commended the TMP’s emphasis on high-comfort bicycle facilities (citing that 79% of current bikeways are high stress), pedestrian network strategies, and the Safe System approach. However, he raised concerns about climate commitments (71% GHG reduction target, 50% VMT reduction goal) noting that arterial widening projects like NE 116th Street and Willows Road may increase traffic. He requested climate impact assessments for capacity projects and greater transparency in the equity analysis tool.
• Linda Seltzer (16990 NE 80th Street, JB Senior Apartments): Speaking as a senior resident, she noted the need for a direct transit route to major medical centers (e.g., First Hill in Seattle), raised safety concerns about e-bikes for older women, criticized labeling of parking objections as “frustration,” and reported that adaptive signaling on 166th Street near 80th Street is not working for pedestrians. She also requested a bus route from downtown Redmond Light Rail to the Woodinville Park and Ride.
• Brian Buck (Lake Washington School District, Redmond 98052): Expressed support for the removal of the 192nd Avenue Northeast extension project from the TFP, as it would bisect property owned by the district for a future school site. Thanked the city for ongoing partnership.

Discussion Items

• Transportation Master Plan (TMP) – Public Hearing and Study Session (60 minutes): Staff (Michael Hintze, Francesca Liburdy) presented updates to the issues matrix. The public hearing was closed for verbal testimony but remained open for written comments. The commission then reviewed 15 issues, closing several and leaving others open for the December 17 meeting. Key points:

  • Issues 1 & 2 (e-bikes): Commissioner Aparna kept open, requesting more clarity on intersections between modes, speed limits, and where e-bikes are appropriate. Commissioner Weston closed her issue, noting the current response is adequate for now.
  • Issue 3 (drones): Closed, with recognition that existing policies on safety and equity apply.
  • Issue 4 (neighborhood connections): Closed after staff explained the layered modal network concept.
  • Issue 5 (Avondale bus pull-outs): Closed; staff explained the project was not removed but deferred to a comprehensive corridor study.
  • Issue 6 (148th Avenue NE): Closed; staff noted that reducing lane capacity does not reduce congestion, but signal timing and access management may help.
  • Issue 7 (equestrian access on NE 116th): Held for Commissioner Coleman.
  • Issue 8 (held for Commissioner Coleman).
  • Issue 9 (speed reduction): Left open; Chair Weston proposed changing language from prescriptive speed limits to studying and building consensus for reductions. Commissioner Gagnier supported, citing court experience with contested speeding tickets.
  • Issue 10 (held for Commissioner Coleman).
  • Issue 11 (bike map figure): Closed; figure will be removed from the plan.
  • Issue 12 (neighborhood connections figure): Left open; Commissioner Gagnier requested more transparency on equity factors and a corrected figure for the next session.
  • Issue 13 (held for Commissioner Coleman).
  • Issue 14 (bicycle level of stress map): Left open until the map is provided in the December 10 packet.
  • Issue 15 (street plan table priorities): Left open; Chair Weston requested adding pointers to where prioritization details can be found.
  • New item from Commissioner Copley: Requested adding a study of bus connections from Woodinville/Cottage Lake to Redmond Light Rail, noting that the East Link Connections program (phase 3 expected spring 2026) includes a Woodinville route. Staff confirmed advocacy with King County Metro and Sound Transit.
  • New item from Commissioner Aparna: Asked about first/last mile solutions beyond micromobility, considering equity and weather. Left open for written response.
  • New item from Chair Weston: Requested adding roundabout signage requirements and avoiding multi-lane roundabouts. Staff noted these could be addressed in a roundabout design manual.
  • New item from Commissioner Copley: Requested climate risk and material assessments for all capacity projects, not as a delaying tool but as due diligence. Chair Weston agreed.

• 2025-26 Annual Docket: Analysis of Cumulative Effects (15 minutes): Jeff Churchill presented the cumulative effects matrix for two docket items (TMP update and 6900 188th Avenue map amendment). The matrix evaluated impacts on economic vitality, housing, utilities, land use, and environment. Commissioner Van Niman expressed concern about reducing business park land (currently 4.6% of city) given job growth targets (29,000 jobs by 2050 vs. 24,000 housing units). She requested more specific data on risk to meeting employment goals. Staff encouraged questions by email or at the next meeting.

• 2026 Code Amendment Series – Briefing (30 minutes): Jeff Churchill previewed three packages: Business Improvement (clarifying commercial floor area, business-open signage, food truck/pop-up retail permits, definition updates); Fences (harmonizing inconsistent regulations, separating fence and retaining wall rules); and Legislative Conformance (seven new state laws, including SB 5571, HB 1491, HB 1183, and others). Staff noted that the first three packages are open for public comment on Let's Connect Redmond until early 2026, with study sessions and hearings scheduled for February 2026. Future packages include noise code, sign code (temporary non-commercial signs), home-based businesses, and design standards update (hearing in early 2027). No commissioner questions.

Key Outcomes

• The public hearing on the Transportation Master Plan was closed for verbal testimony but remains open for written comments until December 17, 2025.
• Several TMP issues were closed, but eight remained open (Issues 1, 9, 12, 14, 15, plus new items from Commissioners Copley, Aparna, and Weston). These will be addressed at the December 17 study session, where the commission is expected to finalize a recommendation to City Council.
• The 2025-26 Annual Docket cumulative effects analysis was presented as a resource; no vote was taken. The commission will continue study of the 6900 188th Avenue map amendment at the December 17 meeting.
• The 2026 Code Amendment Series was introduced; no action required. Public comment periods are open through early 2026.
• Staff announced that the City Council adopted the Fire Functional Plan and Capital Facilities Plan on December 2, 2025.
• The next Planning Commission meeting is scheduled for December 17, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., to continue the TMP study session and hear the 6900 188th Avenue amendment.