Planning Commission Meeting Summary – October 28, 2026

The Redmond Planning Commission met on October 28, 2026, starting at 3:15 PM, to address three major agenda items. Chairperson Woodyer presided, with Commissioners Arparna, Gong, Gagnier, Van Nyman, and Vice Chair Coleman present. Staff included Lauren Alpert, Becky Fry, Michael Hinz, Glenn Coyle, and Chris Wyatt. The agenda and meeting summary from October 14, 2026, were approved unanimously.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Susan Weston, former Planning Commission Chair, expressed strong opposition to the timeline for commercial drone regulations. She questioned the rush, noting the city council passed a 12-month moratorium only 3 months ago, high staff turnover, a reduced commission (4 of 7 seats), and an incomplete meeting packet (missing CEPA analysis and noise rules). She requested the city provide a list of NDAs signed by staff on the topic and disclose gifts or financial ties between city officials and drone companies, observing that the chief of police had started a side consulting business about drones.
• Dr. David Morton requested briefings on PFAS testing at the Allwood recycling fire site (a potential PFOS source for Redmond's wells) and on requiring Parks-certified arborists to independently review applicant tree reports rather than leaving such review to administrator discretion.

Discussion Items

TFP Projects Update – Report Approval

• The public hearing was closed. Commissioners reviewed the final issues matrix.
• Prioritization (Closed): Staff noted projects align with transportation strategies but are not ranked.
• Environmental Analysis (Conditionally Closed): Commissioners deemed the response stating CEPA criteria were "met" inaccurate, as the analysis was not performed at this planning level. Staff will clarify the language to reflect this scope.
• Costs and Scope: Updated planning-level cost estimates were confirmed, including a shared-use path on Northeast 72nd Street.
• Typos: Corrections were reflected in meeting materials.
• The Commission agreed to advance a formal report and recommendation to the City Council.

Repeal Neighborhood Connections Map – Study Session

• The public hearing was closed. Staff presented five neighborhood connections mistakenly not carried over to the Transportation Master Plan maps, identified by Commissioner Gagnier.
• The item is paused. A new public hearing was opened (notice issued October 28) and the Commission will hear testimony on December 2, 2026, before a final vote.

Commercial Drones Regulations – Introduction and Study Session

• Staff (Glenn Coyle) introduced proposed permanent zoning regulations for commercial drones, driven by an Interim Official Control (IOC) expiring April 2027.
• Proposed Framework: Three use types: Drone Hubs (industrial zones only), Accessory Drone Hubs (adding commercial/mixed-use), and Drone Access Points (adding multifamily zones). Roughly 40–50 percent of the city, including all neighborhood residential and conservation zones, would be excluded. A 150-foot buffer from residential and public safety facilities is proposed for hubs.
• Constraint: The city cannot regulate airspace (federal law) or flights originating outside city limits.
• Commissioner Feedback (Unanimously Expressed Concerns):
  • Commissioner Van Nyman requested a comprehensive background document covering technology, regulatory layers, and a persuasive public rationale. Called the timeline "super unreasonable."
  • Commissioner Aparna questioned the lack of CEPA review, the expansion of zones compared to the limited IOC, city liability for accidents, and privacy implications. Stated the option to recommend a ban ("none of the above") must be available.
  • Commissioner Gong asked for clear context on what the IOC permits versus prior code.
  • Commissioner Gagnier highlighted potential conflicts of interest, referencing the police chief's financial ties to the drone industry as raised in public comment.
  • Vice Chair Coleman criticized the weight given to limited public feedback (69 respondents, mostly negative), requested projections for economic and sustainability benefits, and asked for the "minimum necessary" regulations if adoption is inevitable. Described the push as feeling like an experiment on residents.
  • Chair Woodyer summarized core concerns: safety (drones falling on people or pets), noise (specific tone/decibel issues), cumulative community impacts, and a need for robust mitigation data. Requested comparison with similar cities (not sprawled metros) that have adopted rules.
• Next Steps: Discussion continues November 4, 2026. The public hearing is scheduled for November 18, 2026, with a recommendation to council expected in January 2027.

Key Outcomes

• TFP Projects: Commission directed staff to finalize the report with specific language clarifications.
• Neighborhood Connections Map: Item paused; new public hearing set for December 2, 2026.
• Commercial Drones: No action taken. Study session deferred to November 4, 2026, pending substantial additional information from staff.
• Commissioner Farewell: Chair Woodyer and staff formally thanked Commissioner Gagnier for her service, especially her detailed review that identified the missing connections. Her resignation is effective immediately due to a new professional role.