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Kent Comprehensive Plan

The City of Kent has spent the last two years actively working with the community through workshops, pop-up events, surveys, and other outreach to get your thoughts and priorities for the future of Kent. Your concerns, ideas, and recommendations have been used to shape this plan. As we move closer to the required adoption date at the end of the year, we need your help again. This time we need your feedback on the draft plan, the goals, and policies that is the roadmap for our decision makers for the next 20 years.

Profile and Vision
Land Use
Housing
Transportation
Parks and Recreation
Economic Development
Capital Facilities
Utilities
Shoreline
Climate

Kent Comp Plan Public Review

We want to hear your thoughts on our Draft Comprehensive Plan!

What is a Comprehensive Plan?

A Comprehensive Plan is a long-term policy document that guides how the city will grow and develop, covering key areas like land use, housing, transportation, parks, transportation and economic development. This plan sets a vision for the next 20 years, ensuring that Kent evolves in a way that reflects the needs and values of its residents and visitors alike.

By providing comments on the Draft Plan, you have the opportunity to share your feedback on the elements that make up the plan before they are finalized and adopted.


The comment period is open until November 12, 2024. In addition, the City will hold two public hearings in November where you can provide verbal comments in person or virtually via Zoom. Visit the project website at Engage.KentWA.gov/FutureKent to learn more.


How to Provide Comments on the Draft Plan: To navigate the different chapters of Kent's Comprehensive Plan, use the drop down feature located above the green bar at the top of the document. This feature will allow you to move between the 10 different chapters. You can review each chapter individually by clicking through at your own pace. As you read, feel free to provide your comments and feedback directly within the document. Please be advised that any comments you submit will be publicly visible.

Chapter Overview:

  • Introduction, Community Profile, Vision
  • Land Use Element
  • Housing Element
  • Transportation Element
  • Parks and Recreation Element
  • Economic Development Element
  • Capital Facilities Element
  • Utilities Element
  • Shoreline Element
  • Climate Element
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in reply to Chrissy's comment

Daniel Nov 15 2024 at 11:44PM on page 26

Suggestion
Exactly. We're on the same page. And to be clear, I'm not against architects designing buildings with lots of parking, I just don't want them to be forced to add more parking than they think the project needs. I don't want projects to be cancelled because of the costs of arbitrary parking requirements.
And yes, I'm all in favor of paying for parking. If it was allowed, I think the Kent Downtown Partnership could set up a parking benefit district for most of downtown, use parking meter funds to pay for flower baskets, trash cleanup, etc. Paid parking would let more people circulate through downtown, instead of fighting to find parking.
replies

Chrissy Nov 15 2024 at 2:28PM on page 28

Concern
We need to keep these shared spaces clean and safe, though. We gotta crack down on large-scale littering/dumping, dog feces on sidewalks, etc., otherwise people will not use the public spaces.
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Chrissy Nov 15 2024 at 2:26PM on page 28

Suggestion
I appreciate when graffiti is quickly covered up (even if the coverup paint job is messy). I think it reduces the incentive for vandals to tag things, and the removal of gang tags makes Kent feel much more welcoming.
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Chrissy Nov 15 2024 at 2:24PM on page 28

Suggestion
Local/Small businesses--not chain stores--will bring interest and ethical employment to Kent!
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Chrissy Nov 15 2024 at 2:23PM on page 27

Suggestion
I support this!
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Chrissy Nov 15 2024 at 2:22PM on page 27

Suggestion
I think prioritizing small/local businesses over chain stores is a big part of what could make Kent feel unique and enjoyable to live in or visit.
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Chrissy Nov 15 2024 at 2:20PM on page 26

Concern
We need a way to keep people's parked bikes from immediately getting stolen, though. Otherwise bikers won't be able to shop.
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Chrissy Nov 15 2024 at 2:18PM on page 26

Concern
I don't understand the point of requiring off-site parking in lieu of on-site parking. It's just a recipe for a bunch of unused parking spaces, disconnected from where residents live.
We need parking spaces to pay for themselves, rather than passing along the costs to all renters or to the city. Those with cars can pay rent for an overnight parking space. People should be able to opt out of parking, though. And developers should be allowed to build for those without cars, not just for people with cars.
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in reply to John Doe's comment

Chrissy Nov 15 2024 at 2:12PM on page 26

My views on parking minimums once I learned how much each parking space costs (both to build and maintain). Every ground-level parking spot also drastically increases the distance that everyone other than that car's driver needs to travel in order to get to their destination. And we kind of also have a housing crisis.... If we have to pick between parking spaces or housing units (and we kind of do, in many locations), than I'm picking housing.

It is true that we need public streets to not be clogged by parking (I know I don't want my tax dollars paying for other people's car storage!), so I see what you mean about new facilities needing to not add too many cars to the mix. That's where paid parking comes in. Once people start paying their fair share for their parking (rather than making others subsidize it), people also tend to think about whether they really need three cars per household, etc., and stop viewing public roads as their personal storage.

Think of some of the most vibrant, livable cities in the world. How many of them require parking to the extent that we do here? How many are as car-dependent as Kent currently is? People are asking for more walkable, bikable, and transit-friendly cities because car-dependency is killing our families--through car-related deaths, sedentary diseases, pollution, and more.

Note that most good cities still accommodate some cars; this is important because some people really do need to drive. But there's a huge difference between accommodating cars and drivers vs prioritizing cars over human lives.
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Chrissy Nov 15 2024 at 1:50PM on page 25

Suggestion
The wording makes it sound like the city needs to protect proprietors from being harmed by marginalized communities (even though I think that's not what's meant here).
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Chrissy Nov 15 2024 at 1:49PM on page 25

Suggestion
Yes! And there should be tax disincentives for corporate property owners who keep buildings vacant for years on end, just for resale value.
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Chrissy Nov 15 2024 at 1:46PM on page 25

Concern
I agree with the other commenter about reducing neighborhood speed limits. Also, we really need more speed-enforcement along 240th and other arterial roads. I know speeding tickets aren't that popular with citizens, but the amount of racing and road rage on 240th is out of control. Some drivers treat it like a highway, and won't stop for school buses, pedestrian crossing lights, etc.
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Chrissy Nov 15 2024 at 1:40PM on page 22

Suggestion
I'm so glad this area is being developed! I agree though with the other commenter that Mixed Use would be more appropriate here than merely Commercial. This is a family-friendly area--let's make some room for more families to live here, walking distance to YMCA, school, and the parks.
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Chrissy Nov 15 2024 at 1:37PM on page 21

Question
I'm confused as to where this is. Google Maps doesn't know where "Benson and Kent-Kangley Corridor" is either.
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Chrissy Nov 15 2024 at 1:09PM on page 14

Suggestion
This area is a treasure of the Kent East Hill community. Well-designed, well-used, and well-maintained. Thank you, Kent Parks!
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Chrissy Nov 15 2024 at 1:07PM on page 14

Suggestion
I like that there will be some neighborhood services added here.

And perhaps a small grocery store, so that the many people at the YMCA, schools, and neighborhoods could walk to get groceries? It would reduce car traffic on this street, which is so important to pedestrians (because of the elementary school, park, sports courts, YMCA, etc.).
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Chrissy Nov 15 2024 at 1:04PM on page 14

Concern
This area is a pedestrian hub, which is amazing! However, people often try to cross south of the intersection, and it can be hard to see them if all traffic lanes are full of cars. Perhaps install a pedestrian specific crosswalk? The existing crosswalk/intersection is just too far north for many walkers.
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Chrissy Nov 15 2024 at 1:02PM on page 14

Concern
Need some traffic-calming and pedestrian-crossing infrastructure here. People frequently cross the street to get to the bus stops on the opposite side. There's not only no crosswalk, but also not enough visibility for cars coming around the corner to see the pedestrians (or to see a crosswalk) in time. So we'd need a combo of traffic slowing and a crosswalk here.
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Chrissy Nov 15 2024 at 12:59PM on page 14

Suggestion
We need a small, walkable (no big parking lot!) grocery store somewhere down here (for downtown residents, commuters, and shoppers of Kent Station).
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Chrissy Nov 15 2024 at 12:53PM on page 14

Question
Why is there so much unused parking space here (between Starbucks and US Bank)? There are a couple great destinations (Happy Donuts and King of the Hill), but then there's just this big empty parking lot south of them. It's just depressing, and a waste of prime commercial space.

Could the City of Kent incentivize some more life to this area? I'm picturing how the Plum Delicious in the Renton Highlands area is tucked up in between the Renton Goodwill parkinglot and Sunset Blvd, bringing life and some safety to what would have otherwise been a forlorn lot.
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Chrissy Nov 15 2024 at 12:45PM on page 14

Suggestion
Lots of unused parkinglot space in this area--way more extra parking than the nearby businesses can ever use. Perhaps incentivize some redevelopment/creative use (just of the empty parkinglot space)? This is a high-value commercial area, because of how many people in Kent use the streets adjacent to it.
replies

Chrissy Nov 15 2024 at 12:35PM on page 10

Suggestion
Property-owning corporations need to be taxed for/de-incentivized from intentionally keeping valuable downtown space vacant for years on end. It needs to be more profitable for them to actually lease/use their space than to simply hoard it for its future sale value. Long-term vacancies can give the historic downtown and other important areas of the city a "ghost town" feel (which can decrease public safety in these areas).
replies

Julie Nov 14 2024 at 8:49PM on page 21

Suggestion
I totally like the idea of a mixed use area around 116th and 248th. This area is adjacent to parks and schools. There are more developments popping up and wouldn't it be great if we could make the area more bike and pedestrian friendly. We need to decrease the bicycling level of stress by decreasing the the speed limit. A protected bike lane would be great.
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Justin Nov 14 2024 at 5:18PM on page 14

Suggestion
Should be R3 along 104/108th so can spur more transit oriented development along the KC Rapid Ride line.
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Justin Nov 14 2024 at 5:16PM on page 14

Suggestion
If you want to redevelop Meeker, this should be a higher density choice where it allows for mixed use and more commercial / density options than R4.
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Justin Nov 14 2024 at 5:14PM on page 14

Suggestion
Suggest more density to provide housing options at top of Park that Kent Bought to increase foot traffic and make the Mill Creek Park safer and more usable.
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Justin Nov 14 2024 at 5:13PM on page 14

Suggestion
Suggest increased density to provide more access to Lake Meridian.
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Justin Nov 14 2024 at 5:13PM on page 14

Suggestion
Suggest increased density to provide more access to Lake Meridian.
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Justin Nov 14 2024 at 5:12PM on page 14

Suggestion
Sems weird to have a pocket of R2 in the middle of R1. Suggest this be made all R2.
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Justin Nov 14 2024 at 5:11PM on page 14

Suggestion
Recommend increasing density near transportation location and not keeping to R1. This seems counter to the intent of increasing the density in the city of Kent.
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Justin Nov 14 2024 at 5:08PM on page 14

Concern
Our property right now is R-8, we don't want to have our property devalued into this new R2 zone and would want it to follow your track to the R3 zoning that R-8 is allowed in your document to do. Please update the map.

11127 SE 204th St
Kent, WA 98031
replies

Justin Nov 14 2024 at 5:00PM on page 16

Suggestion
"where appropriate" is vague and unhelpful. I recommend removing.
replies

matthew morgan Nov 5 2024 at 9:51PM on page 4

Question
how do we compare against previous growth projections? Have we excelled or fell below?
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Sally Nov 5 2024 at 4:17PM on page 29

Concern
Yet Parks opted to invest in a new nature trail park on 216th and 132nd, which sits above fragile Soos Creek and alongside 770 acres of Soos Creek Trail property- as opposed to property they also have owned on Panther Lake which is surrounded by 1100+ residential units (medium/high density/subsidized/sr.mobile home) . By the time a park is finally built for those families near Panther Lake, three generations of children will have grown up without a nearby park. Somewhere, an assumption was made that these underserved residents, have cars and gas money to get to the East Hill North Park >3 miles away. No METRO bus has been or is slated to service this park, which is down to having ~4 acres of developable land. All of the above graphs and diagrams show where the actual need is for a park. The equitable thing to do would be to put the EHNP project on hold and build a park at Panther Lake, for the residents to walk to.
replies
in reply to John Doe's comment

Daniel Nov 5 2024 at 1:45PM on page 26

Concern
This is a false and misleading statement. Not everyone has a car, can drive a car, or wants a car. Mandatory parking requirements are arbitrary rules that ensure that some number of cars (not people!) have homes. There is no scientific basis for the number of cars that are required for different developments, and the requirements vary wildly from city to city, and building type to building type. Cars are not people. People are not cars. Not everyone has a car, can drive a car, or wants a car. Parking spaces for cars cost lots of money, and take up valuable land that could be used to house people instead. Cars are parked 95% of the time, and as a person I would much rather allocate the precious little space we have for people, not cars.
link
replies
in reply to Daniel's comment

John Doe Nov 5 2024 at 1:02PM on page 26

Suggestion
This is a false and misleading statement. Parking requirements ensure residents can actually use the facilities constructed in Kent and reduce the need to clog the street with parking. If a project is too expensive to build with adequate parking then it should not be built.
replies

Hoa Oct 31 2024 at 3:34PM on page 26

Question
Is this sentence missing words? "other publications that provide" what exactly?
replies

Hoa Oct 31 2024 at 1:00PM on page 22

Suggestion
Consider changing these Commercial spaces to Mixed use with both residential and commercial activity. Adding residential space makes better use of vertical space, increases housing stock, and builds in a customer base for the commercial spaces. This location could be well suited for residents with low car needs, especially if bike lanes are added to connect the space to the nearby school, YMCA, and transit options. A small parking structure could also be added to provide resident parking. Consider allowing family friendly mixed use building near the Nature Oriented Plaza.
replies

Hoa Oct 31 2024 at 12:23PM on page 21

Suggestion
Please label the main streets
replies
in reply to Daniel's comment

Hoa Oct 31 2024 at 11:00AM on page 14

Table LU-3 maps the land use designation (e.g., R1/R2) to the set zoning (e.g., SR-3/SR-6)
replies
in reply to Daniel's comment

Patrick Oct 24 2024 at 6:57PM on page 14

Previous page is titled "Kent Tomorrow" so I assume this is the vision.
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NME Oct 23 2024 at 7:18PM on page 18

Concern
I strongly recommend this category is renamed and re-evaluated. There are mitigation sites in this area and another coming online. Several government entities are interested in preserving this area as the streams are known to have juvenile salmonoids that go into the Green River. Furthermore, this current designation seems to be in conflict with the goals of the 2021 Salmon Habitat Update and WRIA-9 Goals. It would be in the City's interest to prevent future development of these properties.
replies

Daniel Oct 23 2024 at 12:15PM on page 33

Suggestion
Making biking a safe and convenient option for Kent residents would have a huge impact on this. The average car payment in the US is over $500/month for used cars, over $700/month for new cars.
link

The total cost of owning a new compact car is around $650/month:
link

Insurance and repair costs are increasing rapidly as well.
replies

Daniel Oct 23 2024 at 12:04PM on page 28

Suggestion
This is great! Lower speed limits, narrowing streets, nixing mandatory parking requirements and adding or upgrading the bike "network" with bike lanes and protected bike lanes to allow walking and biking to be convenient and safe options to move around the city would really help here.
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Daniel Oct 23 2024 at 11:59AM on page 25

Suggestion
lowering speed limits across the board (default 20 mph, arterials at 25mph) would help make walking, rolling, and biking a safer option. People are much less likely to be killed by car drivers when they are struck at 20 mph as opposed to the higher speeds we have now. Additionally, with the average car/light truck weight being much higher than it used to be and continuing to increase, speed limits need to be lowered even to maintain, not even improve, the odds of surviving being struck by a driver in a car (if you keep speeds equal, adding mass to the car increases the force of the crash).
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Daniel Oct 23 2024 at 11:53AM on page 25

Suggestion
zoning codes should be simplified and permitting streamlined more if possible to help stuff get built
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Daniel Oct 23 2024 at 10:52AM on page 25

Suggestion
If you lower the default speed limit to 20 mph, you probably don't need as many bike lanes, especially downtown.
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Daniel Oct 23 2024 at 10:38AM on page 26

Suggestion
This is a terrible idea: don't force contractors to build parking spaces that buildings don't need.
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Daniel Oct 23 2024 at 10:37AM on page 26

Suggestion
Kent should allow "the market" to figure out how much parking is required. Mandatory parking requirements artificially limit the kinds of projects that can be built and drive up the cost of construction.
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Daniel Oct 23 2024 at 10:33AM on page 25

Suggestion
I think we can do better for bicycle lanes than simply linking neighborhoods. Kent should strive to be a city where a bike can replace a private car for movement in and around the city. This will decrease traffic, pollution, and injuries, increase mobility for younger people and low-income people, and facilitate healthier lifestyles and financial stability for individuals.
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