Parks and Open Space Zoning Project

The Planning Commission's (PC) Parks Zone recommendations were presented to the City Council on July 1, 2025 with the first readings of Ordinance No. 25C-16 (Parks Zone code amendment) and Ordinance No. 25-17 (Parks Zone Comprehensive Plan amendment). Staff presented a summary of the two ordinances and the PC Chair shared additional insight on the PC recommendations.

The City Council directed staff to revise the ordinances for second reading to include the Parks and Recreation Commission's recommendations along with a portion of the amendments recommended by the PC. The second readings of Ordinance No. 25C-16 and Ordinance 25-17 are scheduled to occur at the July 15, 2025 City Council meeting.

The Planning Commission (PC) finalized their Parks Zone code amendment recommendation to the City Council at the June 10, 2025 PC special meeting. The PC recommendations will be presented to the City Council on July 1, 2025.

Agenda packet materials for the June 10 PC meeting can be found here.

The Planning Commission (PC) held two public hearings on the Parks Zone Code and Comprehensive Plan amendments during the May 28, 2025 PC meeting. The PC finalized their Comprehensive Plan amendment recommendation to the City Council after the public hearings.

The PC will finalize their Parks Zone code amendment recommendation to the City Council at the June 10 PC special meeting.

Links to the agenda packet materials for the May 28 PC meeting are provided below:

• PCB25-09 (Parks Zone Code Amendment)
• PCB25-10 (Parks Zone Comprehensive Plan Amendment)

The Chair and Vice Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) attended the April 23 Planning Commission (PC) meeting to present the PRC's Parks Zone recommendation to the PC. The PRC Chair and Vice Chair participated in Q&A and discussion with the PC and staff.

The PC is scheduled to hold two public hearings for the Parks Zone code amendment and comprehensive plan amendment during the May 28 PC meeting.

Agenda packet materials for the April 23 PC meeting can be found here.

The Chair and Vice Chair of the Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) attended the April 15 City Council meeting to brief the City Council on the PRC's Parks Zone recommendation. The City Council passed a motion directing the Planning Commission to complete legislative review of the Parks Zone by June 2025. The Planning Commission is scheduled to begin their review of the Parks Zone during the April 23 Planning Commission meeting.

Agenda packet materials for the April 15 City Council meeting can be found here.

The Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) completed their work on the Parks Zone at the April 9 special meeting. The PRC recommendation includes proposed drafts of the Parks Zone development regulations, Zoning Map, and Land Use Map. The PRC's recommendations are summarized in a hand-off memo to the City Council and Planning Commission.

The City Council will receive a briefing of the PRC recommendation at the April 15 City Council meeting. The Planning Commission is scheduled to begin legislative review of the Parks Zone at their April 23 meeting.

Agenda packet materials for the April 9 PRC special meeting can be found here.

The Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) continued their work on the Parks Zone at the March 6 meeting. The PRC reviewed and provided input on updated drafts of the Parks Zone development regulations, Zoning Map, and hand-off memo to the Planning Commission and the City Council. It is anticipated that the PRC will finalize their Parks Zone recommendation at the April 9 special meeting.

Agenda packet materials for the March 6 meeting can be found here.

The Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) continued discussion on the Parks Zone at their February 6, 2025 meeting. The PRC provided input to staff on the draft Parks Zone development regulations and discussed wireless communications facilities, Aubrey Davis Park and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) right-of-way, and the Mercer Island Community and Event Center (MICEC).

Agenda packet materials can be found here.

The Parks and Recreation Commission (PRC) continued discussion on the Parks Zone at their January 9, 2025 meeting. The PRC provided input to staff on the draft Parks Zone development regulations and discussed public art, Aubrey Davis Park and Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) right-of-way, critical areas, landings and street ends, and wireless communications facilities.

Agenda packet materials can be found here.

Meeting minutes can be found here.

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.