Residents can comment Monday, July 8 about the city of Kent’s proposed new vision for downtown Kent.
The public hearing is in front of the city’s Land Use and Planning Board at 7 p.m. at Council Chambers at City Hall, 220 Fourth Ave. S.
The proposal is called the Downtown Subarea Action Plan. The City Council in June 2012 adopted a resolution to amend the Kent Comprehensive Plan and review the city’s 2005 Downtown Strategic Action Plan.
Ultimately, the plan seeks to bring residential areas to downtown, a more diverse mix of businesses and better designed new structures over the next five, 10 and 20 years.
The Land Use and Planning Board is scheduled to vote on approving a plan after the public hearing. The plan then would go to the City Council for approval.
A steering committee held seven meetings to consider the new plan. The Land Use and Planning Board had several workshops about the proposal.
City staff will recommend the board on Monday approve Alternative 2 out of three alternatives. Alternative 2 is a moderate growth choice to help promote economic vitality, urban livability, environmental sustainability and provide a memorable downtown experience, according to city documents.
Alternative 2 would expand the Urban Center land use plan map designation and emphasizes a more balanced jobs and housing mix. The option would allow an increase in building height from 35 feet (2 stories) to 65 feet (five stories).
“Alternative 2 supports development and redevelopment of the Downtown Subarea that is a livable urban space with a more intensive mixed-use character consistent with the vision of the downtown in the Comprehensive Plan,” according to the city staff report.
City staff used online surveys to get input from residents about the proposed vision for downtown.
Kent Station and Town Square Plaza were built under the old plan. Construction recently started on a new urban-style apartment complex at the corner of West Smith Street and Fourth Avenue North. These actions, and others, were recommended in the 2005 Downtown Strategic Action Plan. Many of the recommended strategic actions identified in the DSAP have been completed, which is why the plan is being refreshed.
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