Redmond Planning and Public Works Committee of the Whole - February 3, 2026

The City of Redmond's Planning and Public Works Committee of the Whole met on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 4:30 PM, chaired by Councilmember Jessica Forsythe. The committee reviewed the 2026 committee workplan, cleared several items for upcoming consent agendas, and provided feedback for a quasi-judicial land use study session, a utilities staff report, and an Evans Creek relocation update.

Consent Calendar

• 2026 Planning and Public Works Workplan – The committee agreed to forward the workplan to the February 17 consent agenda. Councilmembers requested additions: a Q4 World Cup update (Soni), paired watershed study and 60% design for the 156th shared use path (Stewart), and circulator shuttle/light rail planning updates plus a Q2 tenant protections subcommittee update (Kritzer). Chair Forsythe said staff would add the items.
• Overlake Area Bicycle/Pedestrian Improvements Project – Staff requested acceptance of $8 million in state Move Ahead Washington funding, addition of the Overlake Area Bicycle/Pedestrian Improvements (MOVA) project to the CIP, and removal of the 148th Avenue Trail Project to avoid duplicate funding. Of the $8 million, $3 million is designated for the 2027–2029 biennium and requires further legislative approval. The committee cleared the item, with the removal request to be added via email, for the February 17 consent agenda.
• Business District Feasibility and Formation Contract – The committee agreed to award a $130,000 contract to Uncommon Bridges for a two-phase feasibility analysis of business district organizations in downtown, Overlake, and Marymoor. The work is partially supported by a Port of Seattle economic development grant. Scheduled for February 17 consent.
• Viewpoint AC Watermain Replacement Project – The committee approved forwarding the request to the March 3 consent agenda: a $1.2 million consultant agreement with BHC for design services, plus a total project funding increase from $10,555,742 to $12,619,684 to combine water and stormwater work. The project replaces about 6,000 feet of aging asbestos-concrete waterline, 1,400 feet of structurally deficient stormwater pipe, and upgrades ADA curb ramps.
• PFAS Treatment Feasibility for Wells 1 and 2 – The committee cleared a $284,276 consultant agreement with Hazen and Sawyer for feasibility and pre-design analysis of PFAS treatment at Wells 1 and 2 ahead of EPA maximum contaminant levels effective in 2029. The project is funded from the water ending fund balance and is scheduled for the February 17 consent agenda.

Discussion Items

• R22 Overlake Consolidated Land Use Application (Quasi-Judicial) – Staff briefed the council for the February 24 study session. The proposal, at 3050 152nd Avenue NE (Microsoft Building 22), would combine a master plan development agreement, binding site plan to split one parcel into two, and two site plan entitlements for an eight-story mixed-use development with up to 800 residential units and up to 8,000 square feet of ground-floor commercial space. Council President Stewart highlighted that more than 100 homes would be for families at about 50% of area median income, potentially a first use of new Overlake incentives. Councilmember Kritzer asked to explore incentives, exceptions, and design flexibility. Staff confirmed the pending state bill would not affect ground-floor retail because the development agreement would vest before it takes effect. Additional questions may be emailed to Director Helland by February 10; public hearing and potential council action are scheduled for March 17.
• State of the Utilities and Investment Drivers – Public Works announced a staff report on March 3 beginning a utility investment presentation series. The March 3 report will provide a high-level overview of water, wastewater, and stormwater systems; April and May study sessions will dive into water utility trends and wastewater/stormwater trends, respectively. Drivers include aging infrastructure, increasing regulatory requirements, and rising operational costs. Councilmembers were invited to email questions to Director Bird in advance.
• Evans Creek Relocation Project Update – Public Works Director Aaron Burt reported that the project has been delayed about two years by federal and King County permitting complications. A meeting with county regulators was scheduled for the coming Friday to clarify permits. Discussion covered King County concerns about floodway risk on county property, use of road standards for trail bridges, and a maintenance and operations agreement requiring county council approval (roughly a two-month process). Councilmember Kritzer requested more detail on flood/erosion risk and mitigation; Councilmember Parsi asked about drinking water impacts (staff said none) and requested a timeline with total spent and expected total cost. Director Burt estimated roughly a $1 million cost increase per year of delay and said funding would likely come from Redmond CIP capacity. The update will be presented as a staff report on February 17.

Key Outcomes

• The committee directed staff to add the requested items to the 2026 workplan and forward it to the February 17 consent agenda.
• Five action items were cleared for future consent agendas: workplan and Overlake bike/ped project and business district contract and PFAS agreement on February 17; Viewpoint watermain agreement on March 3.
• For R22, the committee set a February 10 deadline for additional questions and a February 24 study session, with a March 17 public hearing/action date.
• The Evans Creek staff report on February 17 will include requested context on risk, mitigation, cost comparisons, and project financials.