OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting – September 2, 2025

City Council — Tuesday, September 2, 2025
BodyKirkland, Washington
SessionCity Council
DateTuesday, September 2, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 5:03:38

Transcript — Verbatim
0:35

Session tonight is on two items.

0:37

First, we will receive a briefing on the community initiated amendment requests for the Juanita Business District in North Juanita Center.

0:44

Second, we'll receive a preliminary update on the 2025 2030 capital improvement program.

0:51

We expect to reconvene our regular meeting at 7 30.

0:55

City manager.

0:56

Okay.

0:56

Uh thank you, Madam Mayor.

0:57

Deputy Mayor, members of the council, welcome back from our break.

1:00

Yeah, as you mentioned, we're gonna be giving you an update.

1:02

We're gonna focus primarily on what we call the Goodwill site and our center, but there's um some follow-up from our last discussion of what was referred to as the Michaels AR as well, uh, looking for council input and feedback, and then we'll figure out how to bring this back for decisions at future council meetings.

1:18

Um I will keep an eye on the time.

1:19

We probably need at least half an hour for the CIP update, so um I'll watch out for that.

1:23

But otherwise, I'll go ahead and turn over to uh our planning team to kick us off.

1:28

Thank you, City Manager.

1:30

Good evening, council, uh mayor and deputy mayor.

1:33

My name is Leandra Baker Lewis.

1:35

I'm a senior planner with the planning and building department.

1:37

Happy to be here tonight to continue our discussion on the Juanita uh community initiated amendment request zoning code amendment project.

1:46

Um I'll hop right in.

1:48

This is our scheduled agenda.

1:51

Uh we thought it would be a good idea to continue working through these requests by topic rather than by location, um, just to get more of a comprehensive read from council.

2:00

Uh we'll start off with the housing topics for council to consider.

2:05

Those include allowed housing types within the BC one zone and then the inclusionary zoning requirements applicable to both sites.

2:13

We will then pivot to a bit of discussion on the general development standards within the BC one zone that the planning commission has recommended recommended.

2:24

Um we can discuss the ground floor commercial requirements.

2:29

Um we'll recircle back to the high performing building standards recommendation as well as the JBD four pathway requirements.

2:38

Hoping to end with a discussion or continued discussion on the required design review process for both sites and then open it up to answer some of those questions that I posed to you in the packet.

2:50

We are joined by our planning commissioner chair, Rodney Rutherford, so he'll be here to provide his insight and uh and opinions as well.

2:59

So this is just a preview of what we'll be working through.

3:02

We've got about 45 minutes to get through eight questions.

3:06

Six of those questions are pretty specific and pointed, uh, with two more general questions that follow, depending on how far we get.

3:13

Uh we'll be pausing after each topic for council input.

3:16

So hopefully that helps with the the flow of things.

3:20

Quick review of the July 15th study session.

3:24

Uh we were all here, so I won't go too deep into it, but this is a continuation of that prior study session.

3:31

Many of the topics we covered tonight will be familiar, although council has requested that staff provide some additional information on the topics noted on screen.

3:39

So we're gonna walk that walk through that with you this evening and circle back to some of those other aspects of the planning commission recommendation.

3:50

All right, hopping right in.

3:52

One of the bigger pieces of the planning commission recommendation that we didn't have a chance to get to back in July was the decision on the allowed housing types in the BC one study area.

4:02

So our planning commission worked through three options which explore the extent in which townhomes should or should not apply and be um an allowed housing type within this neighborhood center.

4:15

The first option that the planning commission reviewed does not change the allowed housing types in the study area.

4:24

Right now, there is an a prohibition of townhomes or attached dwelling units within the BC one zone.

4:30

That's our North Juanita commercial or neighborhood center.

4:34

And option one would be to retain that uh prohibition.

4:39

Option two allows allows the alternative for townhomes, but only um to be permitted within a mixed-use development because of the commercial requirements that the planning commission has also recommended for property or buildings abutting along along 100th Avenue.

4:55

This option prohibits townhomes along that north and north to south right-of-way of 100th Avenue.

5:02

And then finally, option three.

5:04

This was where the planning commission landed with their recommendation.

5:07

This option allows townhomes as an independent use, meaning that they can be proposed and completed as their own project, but they would be geographically limited to the western half of the site.

5:20

We've provided just a quick visual aid of what that would look like.

5:24

The left and right boxes are meant to describe the same area.

5:29

On the left, you can see the study area outlined in that dark color with the hatched area being the planning commission recommendation of where townhomes are appropriate, uh leaving that intersection open, or the property closest to the intersection open for a higher density mixed-use development with that commercial frontage along a hundredth.

5:55

Um the image on the right is a conceptual rendering of of what that could look like in concept.

6:06

So before landing on option three, the planning commission weighed different methods for ensuring high density mixed-use development along the intersection and back, I'll go back to ensure that the eastern half of the portion of the site develops with high density mixed-use development, as is envisioned in our neighborhood plan policies and our general neighborhood center guidance for uh through the comp.

6:36

So to ensure that that type of density materializes, the potential options that the planning commission weighed are shown on screen.

6:48

The first three of these options, the first three uh listed kind of in their own area.

6:53

Um they do present some administrative uncertainties for staff.

6:58

Um, but the there is a possibility for phase development and density plan requirements at the initial project approval stage.

7:05

Another method to ensure density would be to allow the townhomes through a development agreement wherein a minimum density is agreed upon and there is um legal kind of contractual obligations to fulfill that density.

7:21

And then the third is to defer the approval of any townhome development until building permits are issued for that uh higher density stacked mixed-use residential development to the east, and then of course um another option to guarantee at some point some desired density, it would be to continue to prohibit the townhomes in whole.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Planning And Zoning█████████████████17%
Public Safety█████████████13%
Transportation████████████12%
Transportation Safety██████████10%
Miscellaneous████████8%
Affordable Housing███████7%
Human Services███████7%
Homelessness█████5%
Public Engagement████4%
Summary of Proceedings

Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting – September 2, 2025

This was a regularly scheduled meeting of the Kirkland City Council, beginning with a 5:30 p.m. study session and reconvening for the regular business meeting at 7:30 p.m. The Council addressed a wide range of topics including zoning code amendments for the Juanita Business District, a capital improvement program update, speed limit policy, transit planning, human services funding, and homelessness response positions. The meeting concluded with an executive session regarding potential litigation.

Key Outcomes

  • The Council unanimously (7-0) approved adding an item to the agenda to bestow the City Council’s Outstanding Service Award (Council Coin) to retiring Police Chief Cherie Harris and suspended Rule 10.02 to award it immediately. Chief Harris was honored for her nine years of service.
  • The Council unanimously (7-0) approved the Consent Calendar, which included minutes, audit of accounts ($17,248,771.25 in bills and $6,226,907.85 in payroll), claims, proclamations (Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, National Recovery Month, Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, Welcoming Week), labor agreements (Teamsters and Police Guild salary adjustments), Tourism Development Committee contract amendments, and various quarterly reports.
  • The Council unanimously (7-0) approved the Memorandum of Agreement and Funding Agreement with Eastrail Partners, authorizing the City Manager to execute the agreements.
  • The Council unanimously (7-0) approved a fiscal note of $166,289 to fund the Human Services Rapid Response Fund, using one-time revenues.
  • The Council gave direction to staff to move forward with adopting two early action positions from the Homelessness Continuum of Care Action Plan: a Housing Navigation Coordinator and a Human Services Supervisor. Staff will bring a fiscal note to the September 16, 2025 meeting.
  • The Council unanimously (7-0) approved the Interview Selection Committee recommendation to interview all applicants for the Tourism Development Committee vacancies.
  • The Council unanimously (7-0) approved a Legislative Request Memorandum (LRM) to review and update closure policies for streets, sidewalks, bike lanes, and to establish closure policies for the Cross Kirkland Corridor.
  • The Council requested that staff bring back examples of the speed limit setting methodology, consider lowering default speed limits to 20 mph on local streets and 30 mph on arterials/collectors, and develop a speed management plan for implementation.
  • The Council provided feedback on the Transit Needs Study Scope of Work, emphasizing urgency for BRT connectivity, tracking service hours, and ensuring robust public engagement including transit-dependent and discretionary riders.
  • On the Capital Improvement Program (CIP) update, the Council discussed funding priorities for the Kam Yak Gym expansion, water pressure issues in the Highlands, and requested further analysis on potential fixes.
  • The Council agreed to hold a future executive session to discuss potential litigation related to a recent tragic car crash at the Grocery Outlet in Bridle Trails that killed community leader Sheila Stanton. A moment of silence was observed.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Fifteen members of the public addressed the Council. Topics included:
    • Puget Sound Energy's tree removal at the Houghton substation and plans for replanting (Matt Larson).
    • A request for the city to address dangerous traffic conditions, particularly in parking lots, following a fatal crash (Kyle Sullivan).
    • Multiple Highlands residents (Connie Chapin, Murray McKinney, Scott Reusser) urged the city to fix low water pressure issues, citing a 30% reduction after a 2024 system modification, with pressures as low as 3 PSI. They presented a petition and argued for a city-funded solution rather than a rebate program requiring waivers.
    • A resident (Maureen Baskin) opposed a development at 402 13th Avenue, citing density concerns and use of a natural growth protection area in floor area ratio calculations.
    • Two residents (Gary Sawyers, Bea Nahon) raised safety concerns about relocating the ballot box from City Hall to the Western lot, fearing increased traffic on residential streets.
    • A resident (Sarah Sanford) requested enforcement of nuisance feeding ordinances to address a rat infestation caused by neighbors feeding wildlife.
    • Cassie Joyner (Kirkland Downtown Association) thanked the Council for funding an ice rink for Winterfest, running late November to January 11.
    • Ben Bahrami requested a retaining wall at 116th Place to prevent erosion and property damage from stormwater issues.
    • Nicole MacKenzie requested earlier release of Council packets and transparency around developer renderings.
    • Ken MacKenzie expressed concerns about recent King County Metro route deletions (257 and 311) and the new 256 route, citing longer commutes and overcrowding.
    • Alex Tsimerman made statements critical of law enforcement and the justice system.

Discussion Items

  • Study Session – Juanita Business District (JBD 4) and North Juanita Center Zoning Code Amendments: Staff and Planning Commission Chair Rodney Rutherford presented on allowed housing types (townhomes), inclusionary zoning, height (up to 75 feet), and ground-floor commercial requirements. The Council generally supported the Planning Commission’s recommendation to allow townhomes on the western half of the Goodwill site but requested assurance that mixed-use development with commercial would occur on the eastern half. Discussion included development agreements or density plans to guarantee future development. The Council also showed mixed support for flexible inclusionary zoning (50-80% AMI) vs. the city’s standard 10% at 50% AMI; a majority leaned toward the commission’s flexible approach. No formal vote was taken; the item will return for further discussion.
  • Study Session – Preliminary Update of the 2025-2030 Capital Improvement Program (CIP): Staff presented a $29.5 million increase to the funded CIP and a $333 million reduction to the unfunded list. Key new projects included City Hall mobile office expansion, Kam Yak Gym expansion (with a $515,000 state grant), and several transportation and stormwater projects. The Council discussed funding priorities, the Highlands water pressure issue, and the need for a speed management plan. No action taken; the item will return in November.
  • Speed Limit Setting Policy Update: Transportation Engineering Supervisor Jennifer Palmer presented a draft policy shifting from the 85th percentile method to a context-sensitive approach using NCHRP 966. The Council debated lowering default speed limits (20 mph on local streets, 30 mph on arterials), simplifying the methodology, and tying speed limit reductions to engineering improvements. Staff will bring examples and a speed management plan to a future meeting.
  • Transit Needs Study Scope of Work: Staff proposed a two-phase study (needs assessment and transit strategy) with public engagement. The Council supported the scope but requested urgency for BRT connections, tracking service hours, and nuanced engagement with transit-dependent and discretionary riders. The item will return with a community engagement update.
  • Approval of Memorandum of Agreement and Funding Agreement with Eastrail Partners: Approved unanimously. The 10-year agreement supports regional trail coordination.
  • Review of Human Services Grants Rapid Response Plan and Approval of Rapid Response Fund Fiscal Note: Approved unanimously. The $166,289 fund will support immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers through a competitive RFP process.
  • Consideration of Homelessness Continuum of Care Action Plan Positions and Service Levels: Staff proposed adding a Housing Navigation Coordinator and a Human Services Supervisor to enhance outreach and case management, particularly ahead of the Health Through Housing facility opening. The Council gave direction to proceed; a fiscal note will be presented September 16.
  • Tourism Development Committee Recruitment – Interview Selection Committee Recommendations: Approved unanimously to interview all applicants.

Honors and Proclamations

  • Recognition of Girl Scouts Emma Henry and Kaylin Cheng (Troop 41658) for raising nearly $1,600 to purchase an AED for Van Aalst Park as part of their Silver Award.
  • Presentation of the City Council’s Outstanding Service Award to retiring Police Chief Cherie Harris, who served nine years as Chief. All councilmembers spoke in praise of her leadership, professionalism, and community impact.

Meeting Transcript

Session tonight is on two items. First, we will receive a briefing on the community initiated amendment requests for the Juanita Business District in North Juanita Center. Second, we'll receive a preliminary update on the 2025 2030 capital improvement program. We expect to reconvene our regular meeting at 7 30. City manager. Okay. Uh thank you, Madam Mayor. Deputy Mayor, members of the council, welcome back from our break. Yeah, as you mentioned, we're gonna be giving you an update. We're gonna focus primarily on what we call the Goodwill site and our center, but there's um some follow-up from our last discussion of what was referred to as the Michaels AR as well, uh, looking for council input and feedback, and then we'll figure out how to bring this back for decisions at future council meetings. Um I will keep an eye on the time. We probably need at least half an hour for the CIP update, so um I'll watch out for that. But otherwise, I'll go ahead and turn over to uh our planning team to kick us off. Thank you, City Manager. Good evening, council, uh mayor and deputy mayor. My name is Leandra Baker Lewis. I'm a senior planner with the planning and building department. Happy to be here tonight to continue our discussion on the Juanita uh community initiated amendment request zoning code amendment project. Um I'll hop right in. This is our scheduled agenda. Uh we thought it would be a good idea to continue working through these requests by topic rather than by location, um, just to get more of a comprehensive read from council. Uh we'll start off with the housing topics for council to consider. Those include allowed housing types within the BC one zone and then the inclusionary zoning requirements applicable to both sites. We will then pivot to a bit of discussion on the general development standards within the BC one zone that the planning commission has recommended recommended. Um we can discuss the ground floor commercial requirements. Um we'll recircle back to the high performing building standards recommendation as well as the JBD four pathway requirements. Hoping to end with a discussion or continued discussion on the required design review process for both sites and then open it up to answer some of those questions that I posed to you in the packet. We are joined by our planning commissioner chair, Rodney Rutherford, so he'll be here to provide his insight and uh and opinions as well. So this is just a preview of what we'll be working through. We've got about 45 minutes to get through eight questions. Six of those questions are pretty specific and pointed, uh, with two more general questions that follow, depending on how far we get. Uh we'll be pausing after each topic for council input. So hopefully that helps with the the flow of things. Quick review of the July 15th study session. Uh we were all here, so I won't go too deep into it, but this is a continuation of that prior study session. Many of the topics we covered tonight will be familiar, although council has requested that staff provide some additional information on the topics noted on screen. So we're gonna walk that walk through that with you this evening and circle back to some of those other aspects of the planning commission recommendation. All right, hopping right in. One of the bigger pieces of the planning commission recommendation that we didn't have a chance to get to back in July was the decision on the allowed housing types in the BC one study area. So our planning commission worked through three options which explore the extent in which townhomes should or should not apply and be um an allowed housing type within this neighborhood center. The first option that the planning commission reviewed does not change the allowed housing types in the study area. Right now, there is an a prohibition of townhomes or attached dwelling units within the BC one zone. That's our North Juanita commercial or neighborhood center. And option one would be to retain that uh prohibition. Option two allows allows the alternative for townhomes, but only um to be permitted within a mixed-use development because of the commercial requirements that the planning commission has also recommended for property or buildings abutting along along 100th Avenue. This option prohibits townhomes along that north and north to south right-of-way of 100th Avenue. And then finally, option three. This was where the planning commission landed with their recommendation. This option allows townhomes as an independent use, meaning that they can be proposed and completed as their own project, but they would be geographically limited to the western half of the site. We've provided just a quick visual aid of what that would look like.

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