The City Council is putting the finishing touches on policies and regulations to allow duplexes (buildings containing 2 housing units) and triplexes (buildings containing 3 housing units) throughout the R-6, Single Family Residential, zoning district. A "Missing Middle" housing presentation will take place on September 21 and a public hearing in front of the City Council is scheduled for September 26.
Duplexes and triplexes are a type of “Missing Middle” housing that provides many benefits to the community and to the region. Benefits include:
- Increasing housing supply (our area has a severe housing shortage which contributes to rising prices)
- Providing more housing choices in between single-family homes and apartment buildings for those wanting smaller homes in our community (young families and seniors, for example).
- Providing housing that is more affordable than buying a single-family house
- Fighting climate change by preventing new development from sprawling outside the urban area and putting more housing closer to jobs
- Providing more inclusive neighborhoods and addressing historic exclusion and inequity, by reducing barriers to those who wish to live or stay in Kenmore.
The draft regulations for building new duplexes and triplexes keep them at “house-scale”—basically the same size as new single-family houses.
To learn more about “Missing Middle” housing, including the code amendments (regulations) for duplexes and triplexes and related maps, and to find updates on the upcoming "Missing Middle" presentation and public hearing click below.
Automated enforcement for school zone speeding and red-light running is set to start later this year in Kenmore. The three initial locations for the Kenmore Automated Photo Enforcement (KAPE) program include school zone speed limit violations in the Arrowhead Elementary school zone on Juanita Drive and the Kenmore Elementary school zone on 73rd Ave, and detecting red-light violations for eastbound-to-northbound left turns on Bothell Way. This is a big change for Kenmore streets, but also a much needed change to keep our most vulnerable road users safe. For example, did you know:
- In the Arrowhead Elementary school zone, 99% of drivers exceed the school zone speed limit by more than 10 mph when the school zone is in effect
- The Kenmore Elementary school zone on 73rd Ave receives the most police enforcement out of all Kenmore’s school zones, but for every 1 ticket a police officer writes there are over 500 school zone violations that the police cannot respond to
- A 2019 study showed that at the intersection of 61st Ave & Bothell Way, during congested conditions nearly 80% of legally crossing pedestrians had to move to avoid being hit by a driver running the red light
Implementing photo enforcement at these locations will help keep our pedestrians and cyclists safe, and our school-aged pedestrians especially. And because all revenue generated by the KAPE program is 100% dedicated to pavement management and traffic safety improvement, the KAPE program will enable increased investment in keeping our traffic environment safe throughout all of Kenmore.
Although the installation is delayed for cameras and radar due to supply chain disruptions, advanced warning signs for all photo enforcement locations will be installed in mid-August and the KAPE program is expected to start in the fall. We want everyone to know that this change is coming, and between early installation of the signing and a lengthy warning period we expect that all drivers passing through these areas will have every chance to adjust their behavior and avoid a violation before fines begin. For more information on the KAPE program, click below.
Recently, the new Kenmore Public Boathouse received a 2022 Governor’s Smart Communities Award. The Boathouse, a 2,800 square foot rowing shell house and recreation facility located on the bank of the Sammamish River in Rhododendron Park, received the Smart Partnership award for a joint public project that implements a comprehensive plan. The Governor’s Smart Communities Awards recognize local governments and their partners for exceptional work in implementing the state’s Growth Management Act (GMA) to shape future growth, economic vitality and quality of life in communities across Washington. Read the full press release about the award.
The boathouse is a jointly developed project that began as an advisory committee in 2017, consisting of the City of Kenmore, Northshore School District, Kenmore Community Rowing Club, and the George Pocock Rowing Foundation. Following boathouse completion in summer 2021, the district began its first high school rowing program and school rowing teams have swelled in numbers. The Kenmore Community Rowing Club began offering rowing programs to the community including low-cost youth summer camps, competitive adult training and learn-to-row programs. Scholarships are available to ensure cost is not a barrier for participation. More than 400 individual rowers have taken part in Kenmore Public Boathouse programs so far.
Learn more about the Kenmore Public Boathouse:
Under the direction of the Kenmore City Council, Kenmore city staff are in the process of developing the 2023-2024 Biennial Budget. The City of Kenmore budgets on a biennial basis, planning for two years at a time. The decisions made as a result of the budget reflect the plans that guide future actions and the actual day-to-day activities of the City of Kenmore leadership and staff.
The preliminary draft budget will be presented to City Council later this fall, including public hearings and the opportunity for community input. Washington State law requires City Council must adopt a budget by the end of the calendar year. Click below to view the existing 2021-2022 budget and to stay updated on the upcoming budget process.
There’s a rhyme and reason to it all.
You've probably noticed some new traffic safety features on 68th Ave and Juanita Drive such as curb extensions at intersections, narrow lane widths, and special medians at bus stops. These new features are part of an intentional effort to slow down cars, get drivers to pay attention, increase safety for walkers and cyclists, and advance the City Council’s Target Zero goal of zero bicycle or pedestrian fatalities by 2025. Find out what City Manager Rob Karlinsey has to say about it.
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Kenmore Farmers Market:
Only Two Markets Left!
There's only two weeks left to go of our pilot Farmers Market. Join us on August 24 (today!) and 31 for market produce, goodies, prepared foods and more! Head to the Kenmore booth to fill out a survey at the and receive a free market t-shirt (while supplies last).
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Play Day:
Outdoor Fun on August 27
Join us on Saturday, August 27 at Rhododendron Park for free, outdoor fun for the whole family! Play Day is hosted by Step It Up Camp, in partnership with the City of Kenmore. Find out more here.
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Our summer fun continues into September with the Fly Away 5K at Log Boom Park on Saturday, September 24. This event is hosted in partnership with the Bothell Kenmore Chamber of Commerce. Sign up today to come and run or walk with your community at a lovely setting on the lake. Open to all ages and abilities. Register today!
In partnership with King Conservation District, the City of Kenmore is offering two free trees for Kenmore residents and businesses. Apply for trees online by September 23 and pick up your new tree(s) on October 22 at City Hall. Choose from a variety of native species and learn more about planting trees on your private property and how it can benefit Kenmore's tree canopy.
Thank you to our amazing and dedicated team of Kenmore Farmers Market Volunteers! You have helped us set-up, teardown, and run the market all summer and we are so incredibly grateful for your commitment, energy, and time this summer. A huge thanks to Sheri Baker for serving as the Volunteer Liaison.
Visit the City Calendar to see more events here.
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The Lodge, Stoup Brewing and Kenmore Veterinary Hospital
Thank you to The Lodge for supporting as the Presenting Sponsor and beer garden host for our 20th Annual Summer Concert Series! And, thanks to Stoup Brewing and Kenmore Veterinary Hospital for your support and partnership as event sponsors.
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Kenmore Pediatric Dentistry
A huge thanks and shout out to Kenmore Pediatric Dentistry for supporting this summer's Movies @ the Square events and our first ever Kids Concert in the Square as the Presenting Sponsor. We are grateful for your support and partnership, Dr. Laura Stewart!
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Looking for ways to highlight your business and support your community?! Join us as an event sponsor for our Fall or Winter events. Sign on today as a Pet Costume Contest Sponsor or a Luminary Walk Sponsors for great in person, online and digital exposure!
Si gusta communicarse con la ciudad de Kenmore o revisar un documento en otro idioma, envíe su solicitud con su información de contacto a cityhall@kenmorewa.gov o llame al 425-398-8900.
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