Kent City Council Adopts 2044 Comprehensive Plan

City of Kent sent this bulletin at 12/12/2024 03:39 PM PST

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Kent is planning for our future!

This week Kent City Council adopted the 2044 Comprehensive Plan!

Building Our Future

The City just completed its periodic update to the Comprehensive Plan, which happens every 10 years as required by the State of Washington’s Growth Management Act (GMA). The 2044 Comprehensive Plan is our shared, long-term vision to guide Kent’s growth over the next 20 years. The Comprehensive Plan is a living document that incorporates community voices, responds to changing trends, and builds upon numerous prior planning efforts.

Along with the 2044 Comprehensive Plan, the City Council also adopted updates to the City’s zoning map and new State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) infill exemptions to streamline permitting and protect environmentally sensitive areas.

What’s Next?

Here are a few projects already underway to implement the Comprehensive Plan. You can expect more projects, updates, and opportunities for community engagement in 2025!

  • Housing Code Updates – We are continuing to update Kent City Code permitting processes, development regulations, and design standards to increase housing supply and options in Kent. The next batch of updates are due June 2025 and will focus on incorporating new state laws into Kent City Code.
  • Rediscover Downtown Plan – The City is in the process of updating the existing Downtown Subarea Plan. The Rediscover Downtown Plan, expected in Fall 2025, will reflect current market conditions, trends, and strategies for a vibrant downtown while also ensuring the city remains eligible for future grant funding.
  • Benson Corridor – During the Comprehensive Plan update process, we heard loud and clear that the Benson Corridor (104th Ave SE/108th Ave SE) is a valuable asset to the East Hill community. With the arrival of Metro RapidRide I Line (bus rapid transit) and new housing options along the corridor, the City is creating a plan to reflect Kent’s character, address transportation concerns, and support local businesses so this area can continue to grow as a destination that serves the existing community and attracts people from throughout the region.