Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting: December 9, 2025
Kirkland City Council Regular Meeting – December 9, 2025
The Kirkland City Council held a regular meeting on December 9, 2025, beginning at 7:30 p.m. and adjourning at 11:09 p.m. The meeting included honors for retiring Councilmember Penny Sweet, public comments, approval of a large consent calendar, and three major business items: adoption of the Houghton Village Development Plan, a lengthy briefing and amendment process for the Juanita Business District (JBD 4) and North Juanita Center zoning code amendments, and adoption of the 2025 annual Comprehensive Plan and zoning map amendments. All seven council members were present.
Honors and Proclamations
- Councilmember Penny Sweet was honored for her 16 years of service, including roles as mayor and deputy mayor. Mayor Curtis presented a ceremonial gavel. A formal celebration is planned for 2026.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Alexandra Titiyevska (Chinese Information Service Center) expressed appreciation for city support and highlighted challenges: lack of direct bus routes from Kirkland to Seattle and Bellevue, limited English classes for seniors, and the need for an improved transit center.
- Jessica Roe (attorney for Michaels site owner) urged the council to maintain 75-foot height as base zoning (not via development agreement) and supported 80% AMI affordability levels, stating 50% AMI makes development unviable.
- Alison Warner (Balboa Retail Partners, Goodwill site) supported compromise amendments (11, 12, 20, 22, 26) and opposed amendments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 17, 18, 19.
- Eugene Chudin urged the city to prioritize driver needs over cycling infrastructure, citing low bicycle usage and traffic congestion at 114th/85th intersection.
- Alex Tsimmerman discussed alleged issues with King County Housing Authority regarding subsidized housing for non-citizens and his intent to sue.
- Jeremy Eckert (Balboa counsel) supported amendments 11, 12, 20, 22, 26 and expressed openness to a $2 million bond for affordable housing, but opposed drafts with a 30-unit formula.
- Lisa Berenson opposed development of the Michaels site, citing geotechnical issues, traffic, and loss of everyday retail. She demanded setbacks and height limits be preserved.
- Phil Allen thanked the city for codifying requirements for the NE Recycling and Transfer Station project and requested that the full $34 million land acquisition budget be included in the Comprehensive Plan.
Consent Calendar
- Approved unanimously (7-0) by motion of Councilmember Sweet, seconded by Councilmember Falcone.
- Included approval of minutes from November 14, 18 (two meetings), 29, and December 2, 2025; audit of accounts (payroll $8,830,662.95 on 11/24/2025, $7,739,837.80 on 12/8/2025, and bills $10,447,332.99); claims for damages; and 17 other items of business, including:
- Resolution R-5707: Authorizing contract with German Retirement Home for multifamily housing tax exemption.
- Resolution R-5708: Extending Electric Leaf Blower Initiative and exploring a ban on gas-powered leaf blowers by December 31, 2028.
- Resolution R-5709: Expressing intent to repay interfund loan for Houghton Village.
- Resolution R-5699: Adopting the Kirkland Transportation Safety Action Plan and revised speed limit policy.
- 2025 Annual Transportation Benefit District Status Report.
- Update on Cascade Water Alliance acquisition of Snoqualmie Aquifer water rights.
- Affirming King County’s naming of the Health Through Housing site “Sheila Stanton Place.”
- Ordinance O-4919: 2026 Property Tax Levy Adoption.
- Resolution R-5710: Eleventh Amendment to City Manager Kurt Triplett’s employment agreement.
- Various reports (investment, sales tax, financial dashboard, police dashboard, animal services, automated safety camera, procurement).
Discussion Items
Houghton Village Development Plan Adoption (Ordinance O-4915)
- Director of Planning and Building Adam Weinstein presented the plan, which outlines a framework for future development including housing, open space, and commercial space, with 10% deviation allowances. It does not compel construction or affect the decision to sell the property.
- Amendment (Pascal): Added a directive to the city manager to transmit by March 3, 2026, a resolution expressing the council’s intent to sell the Houghton Village property. Passed 5-2 (Councilmembers Sweet and Falcone opposed).
- Main Motion as Amended: Adopted 7-0.
Juanita Business District (JBD 4) and North Juanita Center Zoning Code Amendments (Ordinance O-4920)
- Staff presented a comprehensive briefing on 29 amendments, organized by topic. The council voted on each amendment individually.
- Key Votes on Amendments:
- Amendment 1 (Black): Base zoning of 60 feet with development agreement option for 75 feet – Failed 2-5.
- Amendments 2, 4, 5: Withdrawn by sponsors.
- Amendment 9 (Arnold): Conditional allowance of townhomes with covenant for mixed-use development within 3 years and $2 million bond – Passed 7-0.
- Amendment 11 (Arnold): Time-limited affordable housing incentives for BC1 zone (vested before 12/31/2029) – Passed 5-2 (Falcone, Tymczyszyn opposed).
- Amendment 12 (Arnold): Same incentive for JBD4 zone – Passed 5-2 (Falcone, Tymczyszyn opposed).
- Amendment 22 (Arnold): Waive high-performing building standards for BC1 until 12/31/2029 – Passed 5-2 (Falcone, Tymczyszyn opposed).
- Amendment 23 (Arnold): Same for JBD4 – Passed 5-2 (Falcone, Tymczyszyn opposed).
- Amendment 28 (Black): Pioneer 75-foot height for BC1 mixed-use until 12/31/2029 – Failed 2-5.
- Amendment 16 (Pascal): Require 75% commercial frontage on 98th Ave NE and NE Juanita Drive – Passed 4-3 (Falcone, Sweet, Tymczyszyn opposed).
- Amendment 17 (Pascal): Increase commercial requirement on 100th Ave NE (75% of ground floor or 15,000 sq ft) – Failed 3-4.
- Amendments 20 and 21 (Sweet): Subject new development to Administrative Design Review – Both Passed 7-0.
- Amendment 18 (Pascal): Upper story stepbacks in BC1 – Failed 2-5.
- Amendment 27 (Curtis): Require pedestrian pathway connection between Juanita Bay Park and Juanita Beach Park to be built at time of development (no payment-in-lieu) – Passed 6-1 (Arnold opposed).
- Amendment 3 (Black, proposed as a comprehensive sunset provision): Withdrawn.
- Final Ordinance: Motion to adopt O-4920 as amended by Councilmember Sweet, seconded by Falcone. Passed 6-1 (Pascal opposed).
- Staff delegated authority to make technical corrections (7-0).
2025 Annual Comprehensive Plan Amendments and Zoning Map Amendment (Ordinance O-4921)
- Director Weinstein presented minor text amendments (wildfire risk policy, NERTS utilities update, CIP references, history appendix), and land use/zoning map changes to correct Rose Hill Meadows Park designation and add the Miller property to park designation.
- Motion: Adopted 7-0.
Key Outcomes
- Houghton Village Development Plan adopted with a directive to bring back a resolution on selling the property by March 3, 2026.
- Juanita zoning amendments passed (6-1) after extensive debate, including time-limited incentives for affordable housing and high-performing building standards, a conditional townhome allowance with a $2 million bond, revised commercial frontage requirements, and a mandatory pedestrian pathway connection.
- 2025 Comprehensive Plan amendments adopted unanimously.
- Consent calendar approved with all items.
- Councilmember Penny Sweet was honored for her service; her formal celebration will occur in 2026.
- City Manager noted plans for a council retreat in February 2026.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening, everyone. I'd like to call to order the city council meeting, uh regular meeting of December 9th, 2025. City Clerk, will you please call the roll? Councilmember Tim Chisholm here. Councilmember Black. Here. Councilmember Sweet? Here. Councilmember Falcone. Here. Councilmember Pascal. Here. Deputy Mayor Arnold. Mayor Curtis. Thank you. All present. We're going to start tonight with a special presentation, honors and proclamations. To recognize our colleague, Councilmember Sweet. I'm going to read a few words about Penny Sweet's retirement. I'm going to try not to cry. I will not succeed. And then if my council members have anything else they want to add, that would be great. And then we have a gift for Councilmember Sweet, and then we're going to take a quick break for photos and a little bit of cake. So, all right. Okay, we will now take a special moment to acknowledge a bittersweet milestone for this council. Tonight is Councilmember Penny Sweet's last meeting after 16 extraordinary years of service to the Kirkland community as an elected official. Penny is simply a living legend in Kirkland and beyond since moving here in 1985. She and her husband, Larry Springer, Representative Larry Springer Springer, ran the Grape Choice for 34 years. She's held key neighborhood and business leadership roles, and she founded Celebrate Kirkland, which is has been our Fourth of July celebration for over 20 years. By that measure alone, Penny will be more than qualified for a special recognition. However, Penny has done so much more in her role as a council member. First elected in 2010, Penny has served as mayor from 2019 through 2023. During her time as a council member, deputy mayor, and mayor, Penny approved the annexation of North Kirkland, and it was instrumental in the revitalization of Totem Lake, including an award-winning park, much needed housing, and exciting retail. She voted for the city's purchase of the Cross Kirkland Corridor and numerous projects that have guided its evolution over the years. She also championed the development of new public facilities such as the Kirkland Justice Center, new and renovated fire stations, and the renovation of the Kirkland Teen Union building. Additionally, she was involved in the redevelopment of Park Place into the bustling and beloved Kirkland Urban, bringing new houses, jobs, and services to the city. Penny was the first mayor in the United States to guide a community through a global pandemic. She has also tirelessly advocated for Kirkland's interests on regional boards over the years, helping to ensure we have clean water, effective solid waste management, robust emergency services, efficient regional transportation, and so much more. Over 16 years, she has participated in well over 500 council meetings, spent more than 100,000 minutes in this chamber, and cast thousands and thousands of votes. And through it all, Penny has put the health, safety, well-being, and joy of the Kirkland community first, always doing what she thought was best for the people of Kirkland. Penny. Kirkland is better, a better place because of you. And it is hard to think of a local leader in recent times who is leaving bigger shoes to feel. I have sat next to you for seven years. Thank you for everything you have done for our community and the people you serve. It is truly been an honor. We will have our official celebration in January for all those in our community near and far to share their gratitude to Penny. Until then, please join me in thanking Councilmose Councilmember Sweet for her years of service to the community and the indelible mark she has left on the city of Kirkland. I'm gonna give my council members a few minutes if anyone else would like to share their remarks. Councilmember Sweet.
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