Economic Vitality

Policy Updates Under Consideration

The Redmond 2050 Existing Conditions Report concludes each chapter of the report with related policy considerations for potential updates to the Comprehensive Plan, including the Economic Vitality Element. 

Staff developed policy considerations with input from the Planning Commission and many other stakeholders in late 2020 and early 2021. Staff then compiled existing policies and proposed policy considerations in the change matrices. In doing so, staff has identified policy options and alternatives, in other words, areas of tension between two or more policy considerations. These tension points require discussion and ultimately a decision for the most appropriate way forward. The policy options and alternatives are not inclusive of all the policies that will be considered for a topic, but rather are only those policy considerations that have divergent approaches that may be in conflict or require prioritization. Likewise, the potential strategies listed in the options and alternatives documents are illustrative of the types of action that could be taken to pursue that policy direction but are not exhaustive of the range of strategies that may be needed.

Of the 42 policy considerations in Economic Vitality, tension exists between two potential policies concerning manufacturing and industrial land uses and jobs. The policy objective for both is to support manufacturing land uses and jobs, a key component of Redmond’s economic vitality. The tension is around how best to achieve this outcome: either through additional regulation, an expansion of uses and additional flexibility, or with no changes to the existing policies.
 

Community Input

Redmond 2050 project staff shared the policy considerations with the public, stakeholders, and boards, commissions, and community partner organizations. A workshop was held and a Lets Connection questionnaire provided additional methods for input to help determine community priorities.
  

Next Steps

At their Study Session on September 28, 2021, the Redmond City Council considered input to date and provided guidance to staff on how to proceed with drafting the policies for the Economic Vitality Element.  Staff is currently developing draft 1.0 of this element, which will be finalized and released for public comment in 4th quarter 2021 or early 1st quarter 2022.