Parks and Open Space Zoning Project

The Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) continued discussions on the Parks Zone at their November 7, 2024 meeting. The PRC provided input to staff on the Parks Zone development standards and reviewed a draft of the purpose statement, designation requirements, uses permitted, and definitions. The PRC will review a full draft of the Parks Zone development regulations at the January 9, 2025 special meeting.

Meeting materials can be found here.

During the November 4, 2024 City Council meeting, the City Council conducted the second reading and adoption of Ordinance No. 24C-15 with an effective date of December 31, 2024. This ordinance will establish the Open Space Zone in Title 19 of the Mercer Island City Code (MICC) on the same effective date as the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update.

Ordinance No. 24C-15 will establish new sections of City Code (MICC 19.05.030 Open Space – OS and MICC 19.05.040 Open Space Development Standards), amend MICC 19.16.010 Definitions and MICC 19.01.040 Zone Establishment, and repeal and replace MICC Chapter 19 Appendix D – Zoning Map. These code amendments align with the amendments to the Land Use Map included as part of the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update.

The Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) began discussions on the Parks Zone development process at their October 8, 2024 meeting. The PRC provided input to staff and shared ideas related to the Parks Zone purpose statement, designation requirements, and uses permitted. The PRC will review drafts of these sections of code and begin discussion on the Parks Zone development standards at their November meeting.

Meeting materials can be found here.

During the October 15, 2024 City Council meeting, the City Council will conduct the first reading of Ordinance No. 24C-15. If approved, this ordinance will establish a new Open Space Zone in Title 19 of the Mercer Island City Code (MICC). The Open Space Zone is one of the implementing code amendments that must be adopted concurrently with the Comprehensive Plan periodic review to ensure the code remains consistent with the Comprehensive Plan without any gaps in timing.

Ordinance No. 24C-15 will implement the Open Space Zone by creating new sections of City Code (MICC 19.05.030 Open Space – OS and MICC 19.05.040 Open Space Development Standards), amending MICC 19.16.010 Definitions and MICC 19.01.040 Zone Establishment, and repealing and replacing MICC Chapter 19 Appendix D – Zoning Map. These code amendments align with amendments to the Land Use Map currently under consideration by the City Council as a part of the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update.

CITY OF MERCER ISLAND – NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING

Open Space Zone Code Amendment – Public Hearing September 25, 2024

Notice is hereby given that the Mercer Island Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at its Hybrid Meeting on Wednesday, September 25, 2024, at approximately 6pm, to receive comments on proposed amendments to Mercer Island City Code (MICC) to create a new section under Chapter 19.05 and to amend 19.01.040 Zone Establishment, 19.16.010 Definitions and Title 19 Appendix D Zoning Map. The proposed amendments would add a new Open Space Zone and the associated development regulations and definitions for the new zone.

For more information, https://mieplan.mercergov.org/public/ZTR24-002/

The Planning Commission will meet remotely; however, the public hearing is accessible in person and using Zoom. The public will have the opportunity to comment during the public hearing by either attending in person, calling in, or logging onto the meeting via Zoom. Written comments may be submitted to the City of Mercer Island by e-mail to cityclerk@mercerisland.gov until such time that the public hearing is adjourned.

Detailed instructions on how to comment live during the public hearing will be available online on or before September 20, 2024, at: https://www.mercerisland.gov/bc-pc

Deborah Estrada, MMC
Deputy City Clerk

Americans with disabilities accommodations are available by calling (206) 275-7791.

Published in the Mercer Island Reporter: August 21, 2024

At the May 15 Planning Commission meeting, the Commission voted to approve the recommendation regarding the Open Space Zone development regulations, the new Zoning Map, and the new Land Use Map for inclusion in the City's Comprehensive Plan.

Meeting materials can be found here.

At the April 4, 2024 meeting, the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) and Open Space Conservancy Trust (OSCT) continued the discuss the development of the Open Space Zone with the goal of providing a recommendation to the Planning Commission on May 8, 2024.

The PRC and OSCT reviewed the initial draft of the Open Space Zone based on the workshop held on March 21, 2024. The major themes coming out of that meeting included preservation and protection of open space lands, conservation and restoration of wildlife habitat, provision of education and stewardship opportunities, and access to nature for passive recreation purposes.

The discussion centered primarily on setbacks, parking, trail standards, sign and kiosks, and public art. Minor changes and new sections were added to the draft, which will be reviewed and discussed again at the April 18, 2024 Special Joint Meeting.

Meeting materials and a recording of the discussion are available here.

The Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) and the Open Space Conservancy Trust (OSCT) held a Special Joint Meeting to continue discussions on the development of a new Open Space Zone.

The meeting was facilitated by City staff in a workshop style, discussing the code framework for a new Open Space Zone. Commissioners and OSCT board members considered the five general components of zoning code on Mercer Island, which include a Purpose Statement, land use conditions, regulations on uses that are allowed within the zone, development standards within the zone, and definitions for key terms used in the zoning regulations. Each component was discussion in relation to the current PROS Plan, existing codes, standards, and best practices, and conditions and amenities specific to Mercer Island's Open Space Lands.

Find meeting materials and a recording of the discussion here.

The March 7, 2024 Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) meeting continued the work of developing a Parks Zone draft to provide a recommendation to the Planning Commission and the City Council. Commissioners and City staff reviewed questions on the project, established the framework to reapproach the creation of the Parks Zone, identified areas requiring more research and follow-up, and discussed key issues, areas of consensus, and public engagement opportunities.

The recommendation coming out of this meeting was to separate the zoning work into two distinct tracks: one for open space and one for all other park properties. This is consistent with the “tiered approach” that was discussed at prior meetings and in the initial conversations with the Planning Commission. The PRC and Open Space Conservancy Trust (OSCT) will collaboratively address development of the Open Space Zone with the goal of providing a recommendation to the Planning Commission on May 8, 2024. After the PRC and OSCT provide a recommendation on the Open Space Zone, the PRC will begin working on developing a Parks Zone to address all other park properties for the duration of 2024 and possibly into 2025.

Members of the OSCT Board joined the PRC to participate in the discussion and lend their expertise regarding open space properties. This team-oriented approach will continue throughout the creation of the Parks Zone.

Meeting materials and the recording of the discussion are available here.

The Planning Commission and Parks and Recreation Commission held a joint special meeting on February 8, 2024, to discuss the revised process and the collaborative work ahead. City Manager Jessi Bon presented on the background of the Parks Zone idea, as well as the adoption of the PROS Plan and the process of updating the City's Comprehensive Plan. She also outlined the timeline for the Parks Zone project and opportunities for the public to engage. Those materials and a recording of that meeting can be found here.