Incorporating Your Feedback - Housing

Housing Action Plan

In 2019, Redmond received a grant to develop a Housing Action Plan.  The Plan identifies specific strategies for ways in which the City can optimize housing supply, variety and affordability.  The Housing Action Plan includes an analysis of the existing housing stock, current and projected housing needs and opportunities for housing.  The community’s vision has also been included through a variety of engagement opportunities.  This information will help the City to develop strategies to address current and future housing needs.  Providing for affordable housing in Redmond with a variety of housing types is a priority for the City as outlined in our Community Strategic Plan.

Policy Updates Considered

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 Housing Element.  Staff developed policy considerations based on the Housing Action Plan and the Existing Conditions Report, 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 80 policy considerations in Housing, there are two areas of tensions that require policy direction. The first tension is between implementing actions of the Housing Action Plan (HAP) and continuing to implement some neighborhood plan policies. The HAP directs the City to expand “missing middle” housing typologies and housing choices in the City. However, neighborhood plans often have policies that restrict these types of housing.

The second tension is between energy efficiency and sustainability requirements for new construction and lowering the cost of new construction. “Green” buildings often have an associated cost premium compared to conventional buildings.

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.

Policy Feedback To Date...

• Housing Policy Feedback