Parks Zone Project

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.

Creating a new zone requires amendments to Title 19 of the Mercer Island City Code (MICC), the Zoning Map, and Comprehensive Plan Land Use Map.

The Parks Zone would be a new zoning classification in the City. This zone would establish specific land use regulations for development within the zone. The intent of regulating land use in these designated parks is to ensure that parks are developed and operated in a manner consistent with City plans, including the Parks, Recreation, and Open Space (PROS) Plan, and City code.

The proposed Parks Zone development regulations would perform several important functions. The Parks Zone purpose would articulate why the zone is being established. The zoning designation criteria would determine what conditions are required for land to be included within the Parks Zone. The land use regulations would detail which uses are allowed within the Parks Zone. Development standards would guide development within the parks zone. Finally, definitions will describe the key terms used in the zoning regulations.

The City creates and maintains a Comprehensive Plan, which is a long-range planning document establishing goals and policies affecting changes to land uses, natural resource protection, and City facilities and services over the next twenty years. In addition to population, traffic, and development forecasts, the Comprehensive Plan includes an inventory and assessment of existing conditions on the Island. The City is currently working to complete the GMA required 2024 Comprehensive Plan periodic update.