Clyde Hill: Middle Housing and ADU Regulations Update
In response to a series of 2023 legislative mandates from Washington State, the City of Clyde Hill has successfully updated its local development regulations to address the requirements for middle housing, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and unit lot subdivisions. This comprehensive effort, completed in June 2025, was driven by three key bills: HB 1110, which requires cities to allow more than one housing unit per lot in single-family zones; HB 1337, which mandates the allowance of at least two ADUs per lot; and HB 5258, which requires cities to permit the subdivision of lots to allow for separate ownership of these units. The city's primary goal throughout this process was to meet the state-level requirements while carefully preserving the existing character and aesthetic of its neighborhoods, a preference that was strongly expressed by residents during the city's 2024 Comprehensive Plan update.
Renton: Legacy Square Update
Legacy Square, a visionary urban renewal project, is transforming a former gravel lot at the intersection of S. Third Street and Logan Avenue South into a vibrant, multi-use community hub. This initiative by the City of Renton is more than just a new park; it's a strategic investment designed to spur future development and revitalize the downtown core. By creating a dynamic public space that hosts events, arts, and recreation, the city aims to increase foot traffic and commercial activity, laying the groundwork for further private investment in the surrounding area. The project is being completed in three strategic phases: Phase 1 focuses on foundational elements like landscaping, lighting, and utilities, while Phase 2 and 3 will introduce key attractions like a stage and children's play equipment. This phased approach allows for a staggered but deliberate development that will build momentum and prepare the space for its grand launch in summer 2026, timed to coincide with the FIFA World Cup.
Bothell: Charting the Future of the City’s Urban Forest
The City of Bothell is charting a green course for its future, with a significant focus on preserving and expanding its urban tree canopy. This initiative, known as the Urban Forest Management Plan (UFMP), was the central topic of discussion at the recent Bothell Planning Commission meeting.
Lynnwood: Retail Cannabis and Development Update
At a recent meeting, the Lynnwood City Council deliberated on several key ordinances, the outcomes of which will significantly shape the city's future development and growth. The council continued to refine its proposed ordinance to lift the city’s ban on retail cannabis sales, discussed the annexation of the former Alderwood Middle School property, and considered new residency requirements for elected officials. A public hearing and a vote on the cannabis and annexation ordinances are scheduled for September 8, with a final vote on the cannabis ordinance anticipated on September 22.
Kirkland: Implementation of new WA State Laws
The Washington State Legislature's latest session has brought a wave of new laws, and the City of Kirkland is working hard to implement them. The recent State Legislative Briefing presented to the Planning Commission detailed several key bills that will reshape local zoning and development regulations. For Kirkland residents and developers, these changes mean a more streamlined process and a wider variety of housing options.
Kent: ReDiscover Downtown Plan
The City of Kent is undertaking a comprehensive planning effort, known as the ReDiscover Downtown Plan, to revitalize its urban core and prepare for future growth. Downtown Kent is a designated Regional Growth Center by the Puget Sound Regional Council, a classification that requires the area to accommodate a significant mix of businesses, cultural facilities, transportation connections, and residential development. The plan serves as a strategic roadmap to create a more vibrant, safe, and mixed-use urban center over the next 20 years, aligning with regional growth goals and the city's own vision.
Sammamish: Council Votes to Revitalize Urban Core
Following a lengthy meeting and significant community opposition, the Sammamish City Council has taken a crucial step toward revising its long-stagnant plan for the city's Town Center. The council voted to move forward with a full analysis of raising the housing capacity from the current cap of 2,000 homes to a potential 4,000. This decision sets the stage for a major update to land-use regulations that have, for nearly two decades, hindered the city’s vision of a walkable, vibrant, and active urban core.
Tacoma: 10-Year Strategic Plan
The City of Tacoma’s strategic planning process is a community-driven effort that establishes long-term priorities, provides clear direction, and guides decision-making for the city's future. The city develops a new 10-year strategic plan every decade, with major updates to three core documents—the 10-Year Strategic Plan, the Comprehensive Plan, and the Transportation and Mobility Plan—occurring at five-year intervals. The Tacoma 2025 plan, adopted in 2015, has served as a roadmap for the City of Tacoma from 2015 to 2025. This plan has been instrumental in operationalizing the community's vision over the past decade, and the upcoming Tacoma 2035 plan will serve as the city’s next strategic roadmap from 2025 to 2035.
Tukwila: Capital Improvement Program
The City of Tukwila's Capital Improvement Program (CIP) is a forward-looking, six-year plan that charts the course for the city’s physical development and infrastructure growth. This comprehensive plan is a roadmap for how Tukwila will evolve, balancing the needs of a changing population and economy with its financial capabilities. With a total investment of nearly $298 million over the next six years, the CIP is a statement of the city’s commitment to strategic future planning. It focuses not only on maintaining existing infrastructure but also on investing in new streets, parks, facilities, and utilities to support a growing community.
Spokane: H.O.M.E. Starts Here Plan
Mayor Lisa Brown has introduced a new legislative package aimed at jumpstarting affordable housing development in Spokane, with significant implications for the city's neighborhoods. This initiative, part of the broader H.O.M.E. Starts Here Plan, is designed to enhance housing stability by increasing the overall supply of homes, easing housing cost burdens on residents, and fostering more local homeownership. The proposed measures are set to directly influence the character and growth of Spokane's communities by removing obstacles to construction and providing new incentives for building.
Fife: 2024-2044 Comp Plan
The Fife City Council, at its June 24 meeting, gave its unanimous approval to the Fife Forward 2024-2044 Comprehensive Plan periodic update. This significant milestone marks the culmination of an extensive two-year period of community engagement, during which residents actively participated in numerous polls, open houses, and public hearings, providing invaluable input that shaped the plan's vision for a brighter future. The Council's decisive vote underscores a collective commitment to a well-defined strategy for managing Fife's growth and development over the next two decades, ensuring the city's unique advantages are preserved and enhanced. This plan now stands as the foundational policy document, guiding all future decisions regarding the city's shape, character, and form.
Island County: Shoreline Development
Envisioning and executing any new construction or significant alteration within Island County's shoreline jurisdiction demands a robust framework of strategic future planning, meticulously aligned with the foundational principles of the Washington State Shoreline Management Act (SMA) of 1971. This critical legislation serves as the bedrock for ensuring that all forthcoming development along the county's invaluable shorelines is not only coordinated and environmentally sound but also proactively designed to prevent long-term degradation. Island County's Shoreline Master Program (SMP) stands as the definitive blueprint for this future, comprehensively governing all marine waters surrounding Whidbey, Camano, and smaller islands, in addition to freshwater lakes 20 acres or larger, specifically Deer, Goss, Lone, and Cranberry Lakes. This regulatory reach extends strategically inland to "shorelands," encompassing upland areas up to 200 feet from the ordinary high water mark (OHWM), along with interconnected wetlands and floodplains—all designated as crucial zones for any prospective long-term projects.
Kent: 2026-2031 Transportation Improvement Program
The City of Kent, Washington, has officially adopted its 2026-2031 Transportation Improvement Program (TIP), a crucial six-year plan outlining the capital projects designed to significantly enhance the city's public transportation network and foster comprehensive public development. This program serves as a near-term roadmap for anticipated improvements, with projects stemming directly from the city's comprehensive Transportation Master Plan (TMP), which was adopted in 2021. The TIP is a dynamic document, updated annually, that lists projects expected to commence preliminary engineering, right-of-way acquisition, or construction within the designated six-year timeframe. It also functions as a vital tool for the city in pursuing external grant funding, recognizing that a significant portion of public infrastructure improvements are financed through such avenues, thereby maximizing public investment.
Puyallup: Cornforth-Campbell Lot Redevelopment
The City is embarking on a transformative project to redevelop the long-undeveloped Cornforth-Campbell Lot, a 1.5-acre downtown parcel at 115 2nd ST SE. This significant undertaking aims to revitalize the area, introduce quality housing, maintain essential parking, and harmonize with other planned urban improvements, particularly the Meeker Festival Street Project. E Meeker Street, adjacent to the Cornforth-Campbell site, is already a hub for public gatherings, including the annual Meeker Days Festival, and has been designated as Downtown’s primary “festival street.” The synergy between the Festival Street concept, developed in 2024, and the Cornforth-Campbell redevelopment is central to the City Council’s vision for a vibrant and healthy downtown.
Sammamish: Tightline Project
The City of Sammamish is currently undertaking the significant "Tightline Project" on Louis Thompson Road, a vital connection route that exemplifies the city's commitment to strategic urban development and enhanced community infrastructure. This comprehensive upgrade represents a forward-looking investment, primarily aiming to address long-standing issues of uncontrolled stormwater runoff, which has historically posed significant challenges to the city's environmental integrity and public safety through erosion, flooding, and potential landslide risks. Beyond mitigating these critical environmental concerns, the project is a cornerstone in the city's broader vision to enhance urban connectivity and ensure the well-being of its residents through crucial non-motorized improvements.
Redmond: Ordinance 3218 and Affordable Housing
Exciting changes are underway in the City of Redmond as Ordinance No. 3218, a crucial piece of legislation aimed at boosting affordable housing, officially went into effect this week. At its heart, Ordinance No. 3218 refines and strengthens Chapter 3.38 of the Redmond Municipal Code, which governs our successful Multifamily Housing Property Tax Exemption (MFTE) program. For years, the MFTE program has proven to be an effective tool in fostering the creation of affordable housing units. Now, with these new updates, Redmond is doubling down on its commitment to ensuring a diverse and accessible housing market for all residents.
Everett: 2044 Comprehensive Plan
Everett, Washington, a city rich in history and poised for significant growth, is charting its course for the next two decades with the Everett 2044 Comprehensive Plan. This ambitious document isn't just a dusty binder of regulations; it's a living roadmap, a 20-year vision designed to guide the city's evolution, ensuring it remains a vibrant, livable, and prosperous place for all its residents.
At its core, the Plan is a direct response to the Washington State Growth Management Act (GMA), a legislative framework that demands cities proactively plan for their future. What's particularly exciting about this update is its embrace of recent GMA amendments. This means a sharper focus on crucial issues like affordable housing (HB 1220), actively addressing and rectifying racially disparate impacts (HB 1220), making it easier to build Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs - HB 1337), and expanding options for middle housing (HB 1110). Beyond state mandates, the Plan also aligns with regional growth strategies, including the Puget Sound Regional Council's Vision 2050 and Snohomish Countywide Planning Goals.
Kirkland: Juanita Neighborhood Development Changes
Kirkland's Planning Commission held a crucial hybrid meeting on Thursday, June 12, 2025, significantly impacting the future landscape of the Juanita neighborhood. On the agenda were proposed amendments to the Kirkland Zoning Code (KZC) and Kirkland Municipal Code (KMC), all designed to boost residential capacity in the JBD 4 and BC 1 zones. This move aligns perfectly with the Juanita Neighborhood Plan's vision for more intensified residential and vibrant mixed-use developments. The meeting involved discussions around key proposed amendments and the exciting, and sometimes complex, discussions surrounding them.
Shoreline: Parking Code Overhaul
Shoreline is on the cusp of a significant change to its urban landscape as the city actively moves to update its parking code. This isn't just a minor tweak; it's a fundamental shift in how the city approaches parking on private property for both vehicles and bicycles. The goal is to move beyond outdated requirements and embrace modern, flexible solutions that benefit residents, the environment, and future development.
SeaTac: Envision SeaTac 2044
Envision SeaTac 2044 represents a comprehensive, two-year undertaking designed to shape the city's growth and investment strategies over the next two decades. This ambitious project serves as SeaTac's mandated review of its Comprehensive Plan, ensuring alignment with King County Countywide Planning Policies and the Puget Sound Regional Council Vision 2050, a guiding framework for the four-county planning agency. At its core, the initiative is driven by a commitment to enhance equitable access to opportunity for all of SeaTac's diverse communities by recalibrating the city's long-term growth and development policies and regulations. This forward-looking plan will fundamentally inform all future projects and development, serving as the blueprint for achieving a stronger, more vibrant community.