Notice of Application & Public Hearing - Planning Commission Mtg - Nov 19

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Mercer Island has received an application for the request described below and that the Mercer Island Planning Commission will hold a public hearing at its regular meeting on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at approximately 6:00PM at the Mercer Island Community and Events Center:

File No.: RZN25-001; SEP25-017

Permit Type: Qusai-Judicial (RZN25-001); Type III (SEP25-017)

Description of Request: A request for a reclassification of property (rezone) with SEPA Review to reclassify two City-owned properties from Commercial Office (C-O) and Single-Family Residential (R-8.4) to Public Institution (PI). Both sites are currently used for public services and are designated as Public Facility in the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The rezone would also support the City’s plan to construct a new Public Safety and Maintenance (PSM) Facility on the site. 

Applicant/Owner: Kellye Hilde, Public Works Deputy Director / City of Mercer Island

Location of Property: 9601 & 9611 SE 36th St, Mercer Island WA 98040

King County Assessor tax parcel numbers: 965550-0185; 265550-0075

A vicinity map is available at https://mieplan.mercergov.org/public/RZN25-001

SEPA Compliance: Following review of the submitted State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) checklist, an initial evaluation of the proposed project for probably significant adverse environmental impacts was conducted. The City expects to issue a SEPA Determination of Non-Significance (DNS) for this project. The optional DNS process, as specified in Washington Administrative Code (WAC) 197-11-355, is being used. This may be your only opportunity to comment on the environmental impacts of the proposal. The proposal may include mitigation measures under applicable codes, and the project review process may incorporate or require mitigation measures regardless of whether an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) is prepared.  A copy of the subsequent threshold determination for this specific project may be obtained upon request.

Project Documents: https://mieplan.mercergov.org/public/RZN25-001  

Written Comments: This may be the only opportunity to comment on this proposal. Written comments on this proposal may be submitted to the City of Mercer Island either by email, in person, or by mail to the City of Mercer Island, 9611 SE 36th Street, Mercer Island, WA 98040-3732. Anyone may comment on the application, receive notice, and request a copy of the decision once made. Only those persons who submit written comments or participate at the public hearing (if a hearing is required) will be parties of record; and only parties of record will have the right to appeal.

Public Hearing and Public Meeting: Pursuant to MICC 19.15.030, a public hearing is not required for SEPA threshold determinations. A public hearing is required for reclassifications of property pursuant to MICC 19.15.260.

A public hearing for RZN25-001 is scheduled before the Planning Commission on Wednesday, November 19, 2025 at approximately 6:00PM at the Mercer Island Community and Events Center (8263 SE 24th St, Mercer Island, WA 98040).

The Planning Commission public hearing is accessible in person and using Zoom. The public will have the opportunity to comment during the public hearing by either attending in person, calling in, or logging onto the meeting via Zoom. Written comments may be submitted to the City of Mercer Island by e-mail to cityclerk@mercerisland.gov until such time that the public hearing is adjourned.

Detailed instructions on how to comment live during the public hearing will be available online on or before November 14, 2025, at https://www.mercerisland.gov/bc-pc

Americans with disabilities accommodations are available by calling (206) 275-7791.

Applicable Development Regulations: Applications for reclassifications of property are required to be processed as quasi-judicial reviews pursuant to Mercer Island City Code (MICC) 19.15.260. Review criteria for reclassifications of property are contained in MICC 19.15.240. Applications for SEPA reviews are required to be processed as Type III land use reviews pursuant to MICC 19.15.030. The City’s Environmental Procedures can be found in Chapter 19.21 MICC.

Other Associated Permits: Permit No(s): TCC25-018

Environmental Documents: Copies of all studies and/or environmental documents are available through the above project documents link.

Application Process Information: Date of Application: September 17, 2025; Determined to Be Complete: September 19, 2025; Published in Newspaper: October 1, 2025; Weekly Permit Bulletin Notice: September 29, 2025; Date Mailed: September 29, 2025; Date Posted on Site: September 29, 2025; SEPA Comment Period Ends: 5:00PM on October 31, 2025; Rezone Comment Period Ends: Close of Public Hearing on November 19, 2025

Project Contact: Molly McGuire, Senior Planner | molly.mcguire@mercerisland.gov | (206) 275-7712

Deborah Estrada, MMC | Deputy City Clerk

NOTICE:

• Mercer Island Reporter: October 1, 2025
• Website: October 1, 2025