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Record of Proceedings

Redmond Planning Commission Meeting - July 22, 2026: Code Cleanup, Tree Code, SE Market Study, Rules Update

City Council — Wednesday, July 22, 2026
BodyRedmond, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateWednesday, July 22, 2026
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 1:37:17

Original source
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0:08

All right.

0:08

Welcome to the July 22nd, 2026 meeting of the Redmond Planning Commission.

0:13

I'd like to call this meeting to order.

0:15

We'll start with a roll call.

0:17

Commissioner Parna.

0:18

Present.

0:19

Commissioner Copley.

0:21

Present.

0:21

Commissioner Gagnier.

0:23

Present.

0:24

Commissioner Van Nyman.

0:26

Vice Chair Wood here.

0:28

Present.

0:28

And I am Chair Weston.

0:30

Commissioner Coleman is absent tonight.

0:32

I'd like to thank the following staff for being present.

0:34

Oder Cardenas, Lauren Alpert, Jeff Churchill, Lauren Anderson, Cameron Zapata, possibly Glenn Coyle, but maybe not.

0:42

Not Glenn Coyle.

0:44

And Chris Wyatt.

0:45

Look for a motion to approve the agenda.

0:48

So moved.

0:50

Second.

0:50

All in favor?

0:51

Aye.

0:52

Aye.

0:52

Aye.

0:53

All right.

0:54

That is approved.

0:55

And any corrections to the meeting summary from last time.

0:59

All right.

1:00

In that case, I look for a motion to approve the meeting minutes from June 24th, 2026.

1:07

So moved.

1:08

Second.

1:08

All in favor?

1:09

Aye.

1:10

Aye.

1:11

Great.

1:12

That is also approved.

1:14

Now it's time for us to hear public comment and items from the audience.

1:26

Great.

1:27

And as always, keeping your comments to three minutes and starting with your name and address.

1:31

Thank you.

1:32

Good evening, Commissioners.

1:34

I'm David Morton, Redmond, 98053.

1:37

I'd like to thank staff for tonight's introduct introduction to the tree code update and for the response I received for the from the senior planner following my July 7 comments to the city council.

1:51

I understand the fee and lie to the civil penalty table and the new tree credit calculations are still being finalized and aligned with surrounding jurisdictions, and that all three will appear in the version two draft expected in a couple of days.

2:09

Staff's presentation tonight asks what the commission should focus on for the August 12th study session.

2:15

I would suggest three things.

2:17

First, timing.

2:31

So I have an ask since version two will be available about a week before the Let's Connect questionnaire closes on July 31st.

2:40

Should responses submitted that final week of the questionnaire reflect version two or version one.

2:46

Second, regarding the significant tree definition, I appreciate staff's decision to retain the existing shoreline master program or SMP definition citywide, rather than draft a competing definition.

3:01

As new definitions of terms like regulated tree, retained tree, and grove are added to chapter 2178.

3:33

Third, the shift from a flat 35% retention standard to the new tree credit calculation is a significant structural change.

3:42

Given that table 2172090-1 was subject to change in version one, I would ask that the commission receive worked examples, actual before and after credit calculations for typical Redmond lot types, especially for heavily treed lots that your feedback has already flagged, rather than the formula alone.

4:07

Also, version one's heritage tree category and its culturally culturally modified tree protections are meaningful improvements over the 1998 code.

4:18

Finally, since the public hearing is on October 14th, I would encourage staff to release the questionnaire summary and comment responses as early as possible ahead of, not simultaneously with the August 12 packet.

4:33

Thank you.

4:34

Thank you.

4:37

All right.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Environmental Protection██████████████████████████26%
Procedural████████████████████████24%
Public Engagement████████████████████20%
Economic Development██████████████████18%
Pending Litigation███3%
Transportation Safety███3%
Public Safety██2%
Technology and Innovation██2%
Engineering And Infrastructure█1%
Summary of Proceedings

Redmond Planning Commission Meeting - July 22, 2026

The Redmond Planning Commission held a hybrid meeting on July 22, 2026, from 7:00 PM to approximately 8:50 PM. The agenda included approval of the June 24, 2026 meeting minutes, a public comment period, approval of the 2026 Annual Code Cleanup report, briefings on the Tree Code Update and the Southeast Redmond Manufacturing and Industrial Market Study, and a study session on the Planning Commission Rules of Procedure. Commissioners also received staff and city council updates.

Consent Calendar

  • Approved the agenda and the June 24, 2026 meeting minutes unanimously.
  • Approved the 2026 Annual Code Cleanup report and recommendation to City Council unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • David Morton (Redmond, 98053) spoke during Items from the Audience. He suggested three focus areas for the August 12 Tree Code study session: 1) timing of the Let's Connect questionnaire relative to version two, 2) appreciation for retaining the shoreline master program definition for significant trees, and 3) requested worked examples of tree credit calculations for typical Redmond lot types. He also encouraged early release of questionnaire results before the August 12 packet.

Discussion Items

  • Tree Code Update Briefing: Staff (Lauren Anderson and Cameron Zapata) presented an overview of the project history, key changes, and timeline. The code update began in 2020, was paused due to Kirkland litigation, and restarted to address middle housing mandates. Key changes include updated definitions, tree credit calculations, enforcement, and replacement standards. Community engagement included four learning sessions, two office hours, and a Let's Connect questionnaire (35 responses as of the meeting). Commissioners requested: focus on scenarios (e.g., hazardous trees, development, views), maps of urban forest heat islands, examples for different lot sizes, science behind conifer replacement, and clarification on culturally modified trees. A commissioner noted the omission of data centers from the SE Redmond market study and requested policy clarity.
  • SE Redmond Market Study Briefing: Staff (Lauren Alpert) presented the study background, key findings, and strategies. The Southeast Redmond Manufacturing and Industrial Center (SEMIC) is approximately 375 acres. Key findings: overall vacancy rate of 3.4% (below healthy 5–8%), flex space vacancy of 10% (mismatch of supply and demand), energy constraints, and opportunities in advanced manufacturing, e-commerce, and legacy businesses. Strategies include zoning incentives, business recruitment, infrastructure coordination, and funding mechanisms. Commissioners raised concerns about data centers (lack of mention), definition of mixed-use, flex space mismatch, parking requirements, and transportation solutions (e.g., private shuttles). A commissioner emphasized that distribution does not qualify as manufacturing or industrial.
  • Planning Commission Rules Update Study Session: Staff (Jeff Churchill) introduced draft updated rules focusing on independence, public participation, and records. Key points: communications about commission business should be on the record; avoid serial meetings; refer council member inquiries to staff; use city email for commission business. Commissioners discussed attendance policy clarification, interactions with council at events, and personal memos to council. Two issues were added to the matrix: attendance definition and guidance for events.

Key Outcomes

  • Votes: Unanimous approval of the agenda, June 24, 2026 meeting minutes, and the 2026 Annual Code Cleanup report.
  • Next Steps for Tree Code: Two study sessions on August 12 and September 23, 2026; public hearing on October 14, 2026; additional study sessions on November 2 and 28, 2026; final report approval anticipated December 12, 2026; city council process January–March 2027.
  • Next Steps for Rules Update: Continuation on August 12, 2026; possible recommendation to city council that night or at a later meeting (August 26 or September 9, 2026).
  • Staff Updates: City council received a presentation from Cascade Water Alliance, adopted temporary non-commercial science regulations, and held a public hearing on drone ports with no changes to the moratorium. New youth advocates will start in September; two interns from Western Washington University will join for urban mixed use zone master planning.

Meeting Transcript

All right. Welcome to the July 22nd, 2026 meeting of the Redmond Planning Commission. I'd like to call this meeting to order. We'll start with a roll call. Commissioner Parna. Present. Commissioner Copley. Present. Commissioner Gagnier. Present. Commissioner Van Nyman. Vice Chair Wood here. Present. And I am Chair Weston. Commissioner Coleman is absent tonight. I'd like to thank the following staff for being present. Oder Cardenas, Lauren Alpert, Jeff Churchill, Lauren Anderson, Cameron Zapata, possibly Glenn Coyle, but maybe not. Not Glenn Coyle. And Chris Wyatt. Look for a motion to approve the agenda. So moved. Second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Aye. All right. That is approved. And any corrections to the meeting summary from last time. All right. In that case, I look for a motion to approve the meeting minutes from June 24th, 2026. So moved. Second. All in favor? Aye. Aye. Great. That is also approved. Now it's time for us to hear public comment and items from the audience. Great. And as always, keeping your comments to three minutes and starting with your name and address. Thank you. Good evening, Commissioners. I'm David Morton, Redmond, 98053. I'd like to thank staff for tonight's introduct introduction to the tree code update and for the response I received for the from the senior planner following my July 7 comments to the city council. I understand the fee and lie to the civil penalty table and the new tree credit calculations are still being finalized and aligned with surrounding jurisdictions, and that all three will appear in the version two draft expected in a couple of days. Staff's presentation tonight asks what the commission should focus on for the August 12th study session. I would suggest three things. First, timing. So I have an ask since version two will be available about a week before the Let's Connect questionnaire closes on July 31st.

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