City Council Study Session | June 23, 2026

The City of Redmond City Council held a study session on June 23, 2026, focusing primarily on two key agenda items: the joint electric grid capacity study with the city of Belleview and proposed amendments to the Redmond Zoning Code (RZC) regarding temporary non-commercial signs. The electric grid capacity study, presented by sustainability staff and consultants, assessed Redmond's future electricity demand through 2045, considering growth and electrification goals. The study found that while the local grid has sufficient capacity in the near term, some substations may face constraints by 2035-2045, necessitating coordinated planning with Puget Sound Energy (PSSE) for infrastructure upgrades. The council discussed next steps emphasizing strengthened partnerships and forecasting coordination with PSSE. On the sign code amendments, the council deliberated on permitting processes, duration limits (60 vs. 120 days), and safety concerns related to sign placement in medians and roundabouts. The Planning Commission recommended removing permitting requirements and prohibiting signs in roundabouts but allowing them in medians, while staff favored permitting to improve enforcement. The council showed mixed views, ultimately leaning toward adopting the Planning Commission's recommendation with modifications, deferring permitting details for future consideration. Additional council talk time included interest in studying data center impacts on the grid and enhancing collaboration with the Lake Washington School District. No specific contract awards or procurement actions were reported during the meeting.