Vijay Beniwal Housing Statement

Candidate: Vijay Beniwal
Position: Redmond City Councillor Position No. 6

My Notes: Candidate emphasizes accelerating rezoning for fourplexes and cottage courts
as a primary driver of affordability. For these units, they support by-right permits
on an expedited timeline compared to current planning. However, for inner city
developments subject to IZ requirements, they support deepening these requirements to
capture more value from large developers. However, their approach seems more practical
than their competition in that they wish to offer density incentives in the form of
FAR, which somewhat better.

Overall, this candidate seems neutral to slightly positive on housing. Accelerating
fourplexes and the like is nice and will be positive, though experience in other
cities and states shows that the few projects to redevelop existing single family
homes and replace them with multiplexes are unlikely to significantly move the needle
on their own. In regards to the downtown, an attractor for wealthier software
professionals, they are apathetic to densification, being supportive of more value-
capture but in a way that is more practical and less likely to be damaging.

The candidate was short and to the point with their answer, and seems to understand
the policy specifics of what they are proposing, even if their proposals are not
particularly radical.

From: Vijay Beniwal
To: <REDACTED>
Subject: Re: Voter Inquiry
Thread-Topic: Voter Inquiry
Thread-Index: AQHb+qpHIXXCOii7d0KFDu4MuCUq37Q+dd/C
Date: Tue, 22 Jul 2025 18:50:34 +0000

Hi <REDACTED>
Nice meeting you over email. I also come with software background so good to hear folks from that field engaging.

Affordability for housing and healthcare are my top focus area, reason because it effects quality of life which is important. My concern also come from how will future generations afford such high costs to live.

Answering your questions

  * One strategy i will push is to moderize zoning so to increase housing for low and middle income in certain areas with rent growth shackles.
  * Yes i support the direction of 2050 plan. But if the goal is genuine affordability, following come to my mind:
     * Accelerate Missing-Middle Zoning City-Wide (Executing SB 1110) - The current rollout staggers four-plex and cottage-court zoning over several years. We should shorten that timeline to 18 months and pair it with streamlined, by-right permits that cut carrying costs for smaller builders. Faster delivery means lower per-unit prices.
     * Deeper and More Flexible Inclusionary Targets - Requiring 10–20 % affordable units is a good start, but many are set at 70–80% AMI—still out of reach for retail and service workers. Offer tiered incentives (extra FAR, reduced parking minimums, fee waivers) for units at 50% AMI and below, or for family-sized 2- and 3-bedroom units. Let developers “stack” these incentives to make deeper affordability pencil out.

I am depedendable listener and good learner. There is bit of learning invioved and I look forward to working together to achieve common goals. I hope to earn your trust in my work and will always be transaprent & accountable.

Thanks
Vijay

From: <REDACTED>
Sent: Monday, July 21, 2025 6:45 PM
To: [email protected] <[email protected]>
Subject: Voter Inquiry

Hi, my name is <REDACTED>. I am a software engineer, registered voter in the city of Redmond, and I live near <REDACTED>.

The last 3 years, my rent has gone up almost $700/mo, while income has only risen $300/mo. Housing affordability is my only issue this local election and will decide my vote.

Every candidate contesting Position No. 6 has mentioned the development of new homes and infrastructure, as well as tenant protections. As a student of public policy, I know that success or failure of these types of policies depends on their specific implementations. Many politicians run on platforms of affordability but push for policies that simply do not work or are at best only marginally effective when implemented in real life.

I have two questions:

  *   Although certainly you will pursue multiple priorities during your term, what one specific policy or strategy that you intend to push for do you think will have the greatest impact on housing affordability?
  *   The Redmond 2050 Comprehensive Plan<https://www.redmond.gov/2310/Redmond-2050-Comprehensive-Plan> includes changes to zoning and land use policy, as well as assistance and protections for renters. Do you support this plan? What ways would you change it, if any, in order to support housing affordability?

I understand you're probably very busy with the upcoming primary election, so I greatly appreciate your time in formulating a response to my questions. I hope you have an excellent day.

Regards,
   <REDACTED>