KENNEWICK -- The past decade saw Kennewick grow significantly to the west. But now, the city council ward boundaries are heading east.

The 2010 census determined that Ward 1, the westernmost ward in the city, has a few thousand more people in it than wards 2 and 3.

The city planning commission last week reviewed the new boundaries that add territory to wards 2 and 3, and it is recommending the city council formally adopt them at a future council meeting.

The census found there are 27,529 people in Ward 1, while Ward 2 has 23,033 and Ward 3 has 23,355.

The ideal size would be 24,639, according to the report from the Washington Redistricting Commission.

That means Ward 1 is about 12 percent too large, while Ward 2 is 6 percent two small and Ward 3 is 5 percent undersized.

Adjusting the boundaries should follow main streets, if possible, and not favor or disfavor any political or racial interests, the state commission advised.

The city's planning recommendation is to shift 2,710 city residents out of Ward 1, while adding 1,456 people to Ward 2 and 1,254 people to Ward 3.

Councilmembers Bob Olson and Don Britain represent Ward 1, while Paul Parish and Sharon Brown represent Ward 2, and John Hubbard and Steve Young represent Ward 3. Councilman Bob Parks serves in an at-large seat.

The new boundary for Ward 1 on the east side would follow Union Street north and south, continuing south along Volland Street to Canal Drive. A portion east of Volland that lies between Clearwater Avenue and Canal would move into Ward 2.

The new eastern boundary for Ward 2 would pick up some pockets of land currently in Ward 1 by running north on Vancouver Street from 45th Avenue to 19th Avenue, then going north along Olympia Street to Canal Drive.