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To: Planning Commission From: Jeff Churchill, AICP, Transportation Strategic Advisor Date: March 20, 2019 Subject: Information Briefing, Development Agreements for High Capacity Transit PURPOSE The purpose of the briefing is to share with the Planning Commission how the recent code amendment concerning development agreements for high capacity transit has been implemented through the light rail extension to Downtown Redmond. BACKGROUND The Downtown Redmond Link Extension (locally known as the “ST3” project) is the 3.4-mile extension of light rail from the future Redmond Technology Station at NE 40th Street to the terminus station in Downtown Redmond. The extension includes two stations: an at-grade station in Marymoor Village with a 1,400-stall parking structure, and an elevated terminus station in Downtown Redmond in the Redmond Central Connector corridor at 166th Avenue NE. In 2018, the City Council adopted an amendment to the Redmond Zoning Code that authorizes the Council to approve deviations from development standards through development agreements for high capacity transit facilities. Sound Transit and the City are now preparing to enter into a development agreement that memorializes key project scope commitments and development standards. Staff anticipates that the agreement will include deviations from development standards, as envisioned in 2018. In advance of the City Council’s review of the draft development agreement, City staff are briefing the Parks and Trails Commission, Planning Commission, and Pedestrian-Bicycle Advisory Committee on the project. The emphasis with the Planning Commission will be the implementation of the RZC amendment described above. Earlier this month, the City asked community members to share their level of support for preliminary design decisions and share ideas and concerns as the project moves toward construction. Over 300 people completed the questionnaire. Results will be reported to the City Council this spring. NEXT STEPS City Council review of the Downtown Redmond Link Extension development agreement is expected to begin in April 2019. LIST OF ATTACHMENTS A. Downtown Redmond Link Extension Fact Sheet