Redmond Planning Commission Meeting – December 17, 2025

At its December 17, 2025 hybrid meeting, the Redmond Planning Commission held a public hearing and study session on a proposed comprehensive plan land use and zoning map amendment for 6900 188th Ave NE, and conducted a study session on the Transportation Master Plan (TMP) update, culminating in a vote on a recommendation to City Council. The meeting began at 7:00 p.m. and adjourned around 9:00 p.m.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Approval: The agenda was approved unanimously.
• Meeting Minutes: The minutes from December 3, 2025 were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Audience Comment (David Morton): Redmond resident David Morton alerted the Commission to 12 documented contaminated sites within Redmond's Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas (CARA 1 and 2) on the Department of Ecology's MTCA list. He requested the Commission add a future agenda item to discuss stronger drinking water protections.
• Public Hearing – Land Use Amendment: Two speakers testified:
  • Rachel Maser (land use counsel for the applicant) supported the rezone and redesignation, stating that the applicant is coordinating with Ecology on cleanup strategies required for residential development, and that the cleanup is a separate requirement from the current rezone proposal.
  • David Morton (again) urged denial of the proposal, arguing that residential development would require full removal of contaminated soils (versus capping under business park zoning), making the project more expensive and eliminating valuable employment land. He noted the 2014 Southeast Redmond Neighborhood Plan deliberately split the parcel's zoning to balance residential amenities and local employment.

Discussion Items

• Land Use and Zoning Map Amendments – 6900 188th Ave NE (Study Session): Staff presented a proposal to change the land use designation to Citywide Mixed Use (from Business Park) and zoning to Corridor Mixed Use (from Business Park) for the 5.82-acre parcel. Commissioners explored the history of the split zoning (originating from the 2014 neighborhood plan), job allocation figures (approximately 450 jobs allocated to the area under Redmond 2050, with 78% of regional job growth in centers), and the impact on the city's 4.6% business park land. Contamination remediation costs and the tension between housing and employment land were discussed. No decision was reached; the Commission will continue the study session on January 14, 2026.
• Transportation Master Plan (TMP) Update (Study Session): The Commission systematically reviewed the issues matrix and made several clarifications and amendments, including:
  • Issue #10: Strengthened language on e-bike safety, adding local ordinance and state advocacy (city ordinance and state education definition).
  • Issue #16: After debate, the Commission passed an amendment (motion by Commissioner Coleman, seconded) to include user-centered guidance in the TMP for residents in areas beyond easy walking distance of light rail, ensuring the plan addresses connections to stations from all neighborhoods.
  • Issue #23: Changed “consider” to “commit to” for climate risk assessment in the capital facilities plan for consistency.
  • Other issues closed after staff provided requested maps and clarifications.

Key Outcomes

• Transportation Master Plan Recommendation: The Commission approved a motion to recommend the TMP to City Council as published in the packet, with edits from issues #10 and #23, and the amendment from issue #16. The vote was unanimous (Commissioner Van Niman abstained on the amendment vote but voted for the final recommendation). The final recommendation report will be presented for formal approval at the January 14, 2026 meeting.
• Land Use Amendment: No action taken; continued study session scheduled for January 14, 2026. Commissioners were asked to submit additional questions for the Issues Matrix by the end of the year.
• Staff & Commissioner Updates: The Commission noted the 2026 meeting schedule (second and fourth Wednesdays) and that Glenn Coile will serve as the next staff liaison (January–March). Commissioner Aparna promoted the "Adopt a Drain" program to reduce stormwater flooding.