Kirkland Planning Commission Meeting – March 23, 2023

The Kirkland Planning Commission met on March 23, 2023, from 7:01 PM to 9:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included a study session on the Future of Park Lane, a public hearing on Miscellaneous Code Amendments, and administrative updates. Commissioners heard public testimony, discussed four street closure scenarios, and unanimously approved a set of code amendments.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Sue Contreras, speaking for the Downtown Alliance (formed to oppose permanent Park Lane closure), listed flaws in the MIG study, cited a petition with hundreds of signatures against closure, and noted pending legal action. She said business owners had only 2.5 hours to comment, not 12.
• Sheila Cloney, Kirkland resident, shared information on fire lane requirements, zoning (45 feet/Four stories), and the potential downzone effect if Park Lane is closed.
• Garrett (owner of IVY Gift and Home) stated that 100% of Park Lane businesses and property owners oppose permanent closure. He referenced letters to Council and the consultant regarding that unanimous opposition.
• Kurt Dresner, Kirkland resident, described MIG’s presentation as imaginative and exciting. He urged the Commission to consider all stakeholders, not just businesses, and argued that parking proximity is not essential for patronage.
• Taylor Warren countered previous claims, citing revenue losses of 6-66% from prior pilots, 80,000 annual parking turnovers on Park Lane, and impacts of COVID changes. He noted the Kirkland Downtown Alliance officially takes no position on closure. He also mentioned that the Kirkland Alliance (formerly KDA) was listed as a key proponent in city memos.
• Tina Moody, owner of Absolute Fabulous and member of Kirkland Downtown Alliance, said patrons do not support closure. She suggested building a parking structure (e.g., at the former US Bank site) instead of removing parking.

Discussion Items

• Future of Park Lane Study (Study Session 7:24 PM – 8:39 PM)

  • Deputy Planning Director Allison Zike introduced the session. Transportation Planner Victoria Kovaks and MIG consultants Ali Schafer (urban planner) and Nathan Polanski (civil engineer) presented.
  • Guiding Principles presented: (1) Enhance Park Lane as part of a larger pedestrian connection; (2) Enhance local/regional destination appeal; (3) Encourage economic vibrancy; (4) Ensure equitable access; (5) Maintain a consistently functioning streetscape.
  • Four scenarios examined: (1) Summer evening closures (May–October, evenings); (2) Summer seasonal closure (24/7 May–October); (3) Year-round 24/7 closure; (4) No street closure.
  • Five primary topics: public safety, infrastructure, programming, parking, and operations. Proposed vehicle access control options ranged from temporary sandwich boards (summer evenings) to automated retractable bollards (year-round). Stormwater planter modifications were discussed, including raising soil height, adding seating, and replanting.
  • Commissioner Feedback (summarized positions):
    • Vice Chair Reusser wanted to see how each scenario would improve business vitality, expressed disappointment with the lack of visionary ideas, and disliked the proposed barricade options.
    • Commissioner Tymczyszyn asked about parking additions and inquired about potential times for summer evening closures to align with retail hours.
    • Commissioner Singhal said the guiding principles were not bold enough; suggested adding sustainability and flexibility as principles. He emphasized safety for all users, especially those with limited mobility.
    • Commissioner Rutherford advocated incremental experimentation, improved maintenance (citing 700+ staff hours on Park Lane last year), and better use of short-term parking.
    • Chair Rozmyn stressed the need for bold, attractive options with photos and examples. She also noted intimidation at earlier listening sessions, both from business owners and residents.
    • Commissioner Heiser asked for a realistic event calendar tied to each scenario and clarity on regulatory limits for activation.
    • Commissioner Allen emphasized larger vision for parking, cost and sustainability of maintenance, and shading/seating around stormwater planters.
    • Several commissioners urged MIG to provide more concrete visual examples, cost estimates, and practical operational details.

• Miscellaneous Code Amendments (Public Hearing 8:40 PM – 8:57 PM)

  • Staff presented nine amendments: (1) PLA3C FAR ratio, (2) retail storage services in Houghton/Everett zones, (3) Master Plan requirement in TL3 zone, (4) Holmes Point Drive Street Design Standards (with staff correction 4a on tree density), (5) land use buffer modification (striking adjoining property owner approval requirement), (6) FAR calculation clarification, (7) work hour exceptions, (8) nonconformance clarification, (9) ABE calculation graphic.
  • No public testimony was offered.
  • Commissioner Singhal expressed concern about removing neighbor approval for buffer modifications without a notice requirement. Staff advised against adding new language due to an ongoing appeal of the tree code. Commissioners agreed to revisit the issue after the appeal.

Key Outcomes

• Approved Motion: The Commission voted 7-0 (all members present: Allen, Heiser, Reusser, Rozmyn, Rutherford, Singhal, Tymczyszyn) to advance the full set of Miscellaneous Code Amendments, including staff addition 4a, to the City Council as recommended by staff.
• Chair Rozmyn reported quarterly meeting with Mayor/Deputy Mayor covered Park Lane, Station Area Plan affordable housing, and state housing bills.
• Calendar Update: April 13 meeting canceled; joint study session with City Council on April 18 (discuss Planning Work Program, also code amendments adoption); April 27 study session on Station Area Plan affordable housing; May sessions on Comprehensive Plan update and Park Lane study update.
• The Park Lane study will continue, with a draft report for public review in May and a final presentation to Council in late June. Commissioners requested bolder, more detailed scenarios, concrete cost estimates, and visual renderings.