Redmond Planning Commission Meeting – March 13, 2026

Note: The agenda and raw transcript indicate this meeting was held on March 11, 2026, but the assigned meeting date for this summary is March 13, 2026. The content below reflects the proceedings of March 11, 2026, as recorded.

The Redmond Planning Commission convened on March 13, 2026 (source materials date the meeting as March 11, 2026) to approve the consent calendar, hear public testimony, and conduct a study session on the 2026 code amendment series covering business improvement, fences, and legislative conformance. The commission voted unanimously to approve the planning commission recommendation and the associated report.

Consent Calendar

• Approved the March 11, 2026 agenda and the meeting summary from February 25, 2026, both by unanimous voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Alex Zimmerman (Redmond resident) argued that the Mayor presiding over and controlling City Council meetings violates the separation of powers required by the U.S. Constitution. He characterized the situation as a “constitutional crime” and urged the commission to address it.
• David Morton (Redmond, 98053) requested that the Planning Commission recommend to the City Council and Mayor that PFAS testing be required at the DTG site (formerly All Wood Recycling) before any ground disturbance occurs as part of the Evans Creek relocation project. He cited a 2013 industrial fire where Class B firefighting foam containing PFAS may have been used, noted that the site has never been tested for PFAS, and warned of a 2029 EPA compliance deadline and potential tens of millions in remediation costs.
• Andrew Brown (Windwood Village, 98052) thanked the commission for their volunteer service and raised concerns about enforcement of city codes. He cited prior complaints about early-morning garbage truck noise, illegal tree felling with no repercussions, and uncontrolled light pollution from the light industrial park near his home. He urged stronger enforcement and empowerment of city staff.

Discussion Items

• 2026 Code Amendment Series: Business Improvement, Fences & Legislative Conformance – The commission reviewed remaining issues on the issues matrix (Issues 1 and 4) related to non-conforming fences in stream buffers and shoreline jurisdictions.
  • Commissioner Aparna noted she was satisfied that the provided information allowed staff and residents to quickly resolve code questions.
  • Commissioner Coleman expressed confusion and disagreement over the rule that if a non-conforming fence is demolished or rebuilt, it must be replaced with a conforming fence—which could mean no fence at all in shoreline buffers. She argued that environmental protections should not override resident safety and property security. Staff clarified that this is state-mandated shoreline policy, with the next update expected around 2029.
  • Commissioner Ganyer summarized her email exchange with staff regarding public feedback that requested the ability to deviate from the six-foot maximum fence height (e.g., along noisy thoroughfares). Staff explained that no variance option exists because it does not align with Redmond 2050 values; landscaping was suggested as an alternative noise reduction measure.
  • Commissioner Ganyer also asked about a provision in the technical committee report allowing maximum fence height to be exceeded when specified in federal or state requirements for safety and security. Senior Planner Kim Deeds clarified that the provision originated from federal standards for utilities and high-security areas, not personal safety.
• Staff and Commissioner Updates –
  • The next meeting was set for April 8, 2026 (not March 11 as initially stated), featuring elections for chair and vice chair.
  • Reappointed commissioners were reminded to take their oath of office before the April 8 meeting.
  • Chair Weston proposed a new attendance plan: if a commissioner knows they will miss a meeting, they should review the packet over the weekend, close any outstanding issues via email to the planning commission alias, and relay clarifying questions before the Monday prep meeting to avoid repetition.
  • Staff announced a City Council study session on the land use and zoning map amendments for 6900 188th Ave NE scheduled for April 28, 2026, and a housing and human services presentation on homelessness at the March 17 Committee of the Whole meeting.

Key Outcomes

• Motion to Approve Planning Commission Recommendation on the 2026 code amendment series (business improvement, fences, legislative conformance): Approved unanimously by voice vote (all commissioners present voting in favor; Chair Weston also approved).
• Motion to Approve Planning Commission Report on the same code amendments: Approved unanimously.
• As a result of these approvals, the previously scheduled March 25, 2026 meeting was canceled.
• The meeting adjourned at approximately [time not recorded].