In order to accomplish the purposes of this title, the following zoning designations and zoning map symbols are established:
ZONING DESIGNATIONS
MAP SYMBOL
Residential
R (base density in dwellings per acre)
Manufactured Housing Community
MHC
Neighborhood Business
NB
Community Business
CB
Downtown Residential
DR
Downtown Commercial
DC
Urban Corridor
UC
Urban Residential
UR
Waterfront Commercial
WC
Regional Business
RB
Public and Semi-Public
PSP
Parks
P
Golf Course
GC
Property-Specific Development Standards
P-suffix
Special District Overlay
SO
(Ord. 11-0329, § 3 (Exh. 1); Ord. 14-0391, § 2 (Exh. 1); Ord. 19-0481, § 2 (Exh. A); Ord. 23-0574, § 2 (Exh. A))
The purpose statements for each zone and map designation set forth in the following sections shall be used to guide the application of the zones and designations to all lands in Kenmore. The purpose statements also shall guide interpretation and application of land use regulations within the zones and designations, and any changes to the range of permitted uses within each zone through amendments to this title.
(Ord. 11-0329, § 3 (Exh. 1))
A. 
The purpose of the residential zones (R and MHC) is to implement comprehensive plan goals and policies for housing quality, diversity and affordability, and to efficiently use residential land, public services and energy. These purposes are accomplished by:
1. 
Providing, in the R-1 through R-6 zones, for a mix of predominantly single detached dwelling units and middle housing dwellings (except as noted in KMC § 18.21.035(B)), with a variety of densities and sizes in locations appropriate for residential use;
2. 
Providing, in the R-12 through R-48 zones, for a mix of predominantly apartment and townhouse dwelling units, with a variety of densities and sizes in locations appropriate for residential use;
3. 
Providing, in the MHC zone, for continuation of existing manufactured housing communities;
4. 
Allowing only those accessory and complementary nonresidential uses that are compatible with residential communities; and
5. 
Establishing density designations to facilitate advanced area-wide planning for public facilities and services, and to protect environmentally critical sites from overdevelopment.
B. 
Use of this zone is appropriate as follows:
1. 
The R-1 zone on or adjacent to lands with area-wide environmental constraints where development is required to cluster away from critical areas;
2. 
The R-4 through R-6 zones on lands that are predominantly environmentally unconstrained and are served at the time of development by adequate public sewers, water supply, streets and other needed public facilities and services;
3. 
The R-12 through R-48 zones next to commercial centers, in areas that are served at the time of development by adequate public sewers, water supply, streets and other needed public facilities and services; and
4. 
The MHC zone on existing manufactured housing communities planned for either short-term or long-term preservation.
(Ord. 11-0329, § 3 (Exh. 1); Ord. 19-0481, § 2 (Exh. A); Ord. 25-0630, § 2 (Exh. A))
A. 
The purpose of the neighborhood business zone (NB) is to provide convenient daily retail and personal services for a limited service area, to minimize impacts of commercial activities on nearby properties, and to provide for limited residential development. These purposes are accomplished by:
1. 
Limiting nonresidential uses to those uses which can serve the everyday needs of a surrounding urban residential area;
2. 
Allowing for automotive service uses, subject to approval of a conditional use permit;
3. 
Allowing for mixed use (housing and retail/service) developments and for townhouse developments as a sole use on properties; and
4. 
Excluding industrial and regional business-scaled uses.
B. 
Use of this zone is appropriate in neighborhood business centers on sites which are served at the time of development by adequate public sewers, water supply, streets and other needed public facilities and services.
(Ord. 11-0329 § 3 (Exh. 1); Ord. 18-0454, § 2 (Exh. 1))
A. 
The purpose of the community business zone (CB) is to provide retail and personal services for local service areas which exceed the daily convenience needs of adjacent neighborhoods but which cannot be served conveniently by larger activity centers. These locations are not appropriate for extensive outdoor storage or industrial uses. Automotive service businesses may be appropriate in the Juanita subarea of this zone subject to approval of a conditional use permit. In the west subarea, auto-related uses are not appropriate and are prohibited. These purposes of the zone are accomplished by:
1. 
Providing for offices as well as a wide range of small-scale retail, educational, and personal service uses;
2. 
Allowing residential use, with a focus on mixed use (housing and retail/service/office) developments; and
3. 
Excluding commercial uses with extensive outdoor storage, as well as automotive sales and industrial uses.
B. 
Use of this zone is appropriate in areas that are designated by the comprehensive plan and that are served at the time of development by adequate public sewers, water supply, streets and other needed public facilities and services.
(Ord. 11-0329, § 3 (Exh. 1); Ord. 18-0454, § 2 (Exh. 1))
The downtown residential zone provides higher density residential development in support of the downtown commercial zone. Limited retail and office uses are also allowed as part of mixed use developments. The zone represents an opportunity to provide a range of housing types in the community with attention to appearance and scale.
(Ord. 11-0329, § 3 (Exh. 1))
A. 
The downtown commercial zone features a mix of private and public uses designed to create a small-town feel and pedestrian-friendly environment. Public places, sidewalks, extensive landscaping, transit orientation, shared or structured parking, protection of critical areas, and high quality design and signage are key features. Permitted uses emphasize mixed or multiple use developments, and include high-density housing, civic and governmental offices, small-scale commercial and retail, and locally oriented professional and personal services.
B. 
Uses not compatible with the downtown commercial zone intent such as those which require vehicle or materials storage, service bays, wide curb cuts, expanses of exterior product display or storage, or produce little customer or visitor activity are not permitted. Park-and-ride/transit centers are promoted along SR-522, particularly in the northwest quadrant of the 68th Avenue NE/SR-522 intersection.
(Ord. 11-0329, § 3 (Exh. 1))
The purpose of the urban corridor zone (UC) is to convert SR-522 from a commercial strip, focused on the automobile, to a more pedestrian-and transit-friendly urban corridor. West of down-town, the north side of the highway would continue to be a mix of restaurant, retail and service uses, with additional opportunities for office and mixed use multifamily development. The south side of the highway in this area would convert to office and multifamily development, taking advantage of lake views and proximity to transit.
East of downtown, an “enterprise zone” west of 80th Avenue NE would allow for a wide range of commercial uses, including bulk retail, as well as standalone multifamily development. Farther to the east, near the city limits, office and multifamily uses are envisioned.
New auto-oriented uses are not compatible with the intent of the urban corridor zone.
(Ord. 14-0391, § 2 (Exh. 1))
The purpose of the waterfront commercial zone (WC) is to support water-dependent uses while allowing eating and drinking places, temporary lodging and other uses complementary to marina and air harbor development. Compatible light manufacturing is appropriate. Office and mixed use multifamily development are desirable for the future.
(Ord. 14-0391, § 2 (Exh. 1))
The purpose of the regional business zone (RB) is to provide for the broadest mix of retail sales, office, wholesale, and service uses, with compatible storage and light manufacturing uses, serving regional market areas and offering significant employment opportunities. These purposes are accomplished by supporting existing businesses and encouraging compact and mixed use development that is supportive of transit and pedestrian travel for the future.
(Ord. 11-0329, § 3 (Exh. 1); Ord. 14-0391, § 2 (Exh. 1))
The public and semi-public zone (PSP) is applied to properties currently owned or operated by a public entity or private institution. The purpose of the public and semi-public zone is to recognize that public and semi-public facilities and institutions provide necessary services to the community and have their own unique set of circumstances. The public and semi-public zone is applied to lands designated as public and private facilities on the comprehensive plan land use map.
(Ord. 11-0329, § 3 (Exh. 1))
The parks zone (P) provides for parks, recreational, open space, and resource uses within publicly owned lands, and establishes standards that allow for such uses to continue or be established while ensuring compatibility with surrounding uses. The parks zone is applied to lands used for public parks, recreation, and open space purposes and designated as public and private facilities on the comprehensive plan land use map.
(Ord. 11-0329, § 3 (Exh. 1))
The golf course zone (GC) provides for golf course activities and the protection and preservation of open space qualities of lands that are developed for golf course uses. The golf course zone is applied to lands used for golf course related purposes and designated as public and private facilities on the comprehensive plan land use map.
(Ord. 11-0329, § 3 (Exh. 1))
The purpose of the property-specific development standards or P-suffix designation is to indicate that conditions beyond the minimum requirements of this title have been applied to development on the property, including but not limited to increased development standards, limits on permitted uses or special conditions of approval. Property-specific development standards are maintained by the department and are available for public inspection and copying during regular business hours.
(Ord. 11-0329, § 3 (Exh. 1))
The purpose of the special district overlay or SO designation is to carry out comprehensive plan and subarea or neighborhood plan policies that identify special opportunities for achieving public benefits by allowing or requiring alternative uses and development standards that differ from the general provisions of this title. Special district overlays are generally applied to a group of individual properties or entire subarea or neighborhood planning areas. Special district overlay development standards are maintained by the department and are available for public inspection and copying during regular business hours.
(Ord. 11-0329, § 3 (Exh. 1))
A. 
The location and boundaries of the zones defined by this chapter shall be shown and delineated on zoning maps adopted by ordinance.
B. 
Changes in the boundaries of the zones shall be made by ordinance adopting or amending a zoning map.
C. 
The zoning map labeled “Official Zoning Map of the City of Kenmore,” dated March 2019, and as subsequently amended, is hereby adopted as the official zoning map and shall be kept on file by the City and will be on display for public review at Kenmore City Hall.
(Ord. 11-0329, § 3 (Exh. 1); Ord. 14-0391, § 2 (Exh. 1); Ord. 18-0454, § 3)