OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kirkland Planning Commission Meeting - July 11, 2024: Comprehensive Plan Hearings and Neighborhood Plan Amendments

Planning Commission — Thursday, July 11, 2024
BodyKirkland, Washington
SessionPlanning Commission
DateThursday, July 11, 2024
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 5:00:00

Transcript — Verbatim
5:11

Order the July 11th, 2024 regular meeting of the Kirkland Planning Commission.

5:19

I think we have roll call.

5:21

Katya Allen.

5:22

Present.

5:22

Bria Heiser.

5:24

Here.

5:24

Erin Jacobson.

5:25

Here.

5:26

Gina Madea.

5:27

Here.

5:27

Scott Racer.

5:28

Here.

5:29

Angela Rosman.

5:30

Here.

5:30

Rodney Rutherford.

5:32

Thanks.

5:35

Okay.

5:36

What a great turnout tonight.

5:37

Thank you all for your civic involvement.

5:39

Um the next item on our agenda tonight will be um items from the audience.

5:45

So I wanted to go through this as a little bit more of a complicated um time frame here with the different meetings and the continuances.

5:52

So I'm going to read from this.

5:54

I'll try to be quick.

5:56

Uh the items from the uh audiences are next item on our agenda.

6:00

This is the portion of the meeting when we hear from the public about items that are not scheduled for public hearing tonight.

6:07

Before I provide instructions for public comment, I would like to clarify a couple points based on the themes we have noticed when reading many emailed uh comments we've received over the last couple weeks.

6:18

Uh and today.

6:20

First, tonight's agenda includes a continued public hearing to discuss amendments to multiple neighborhood plans, including uh included in the comprehensive plan.

6:28

The record for spoken testimony was closed by the planning commission on the original hearing date of May 23rd.

6:34

At the May 23rd meeting, planning commission voted to keep the record open for written testimony on the neighborhood plans, and we have received a large volume of written testimony.

6:44

We thank you for your time providing us with this information.

6:48

Commission commissioners, we all do.

6:51

We all read these, and we really appreciate your feedback and um all the emails that you send.

6:56

Second, many of the comments we've received are related to the potential of increased residential capacity along frequent transit corridors.

7:04

The proposed policy and map related to this issue is included in the draft land use elements of the comprehensive plan because this high level policy change is being considered citywide.

7:14

The planning commission is not deliberating on recommendations on this policy or map tonight.

7:21

This policy and map are not part of tonight's public hearing.

7:24

This topic will be discussed when the commission continues our deliberations on the land use element at our July twenty-fifth meeting.

7:32

For tonight's public comments, audience members are limited to three minutes, and we will ask that you direct your comments to the commission.

7:40

The timer on the dial will flash a yellow light when you are nearing the end of your time and a red light when your time has elapsed.

7:45

To be fair to all speakers, we will adhere strictly to the three minute limit.

7:50

The commission wants to hear as many different views and opinions as you can offer us.

7:54

If you've already heard another speaker state your comment, please consider not repeating the comment and instead providing a comment or perspective that is unique to yours, to your own.

8:05

We'll begin items from the audience with the list of people here in person.

8:10

Um Madam Chair.

8:11

Yes.

8:12

Um I believe we can change our rules to allow for more people to uh give public comment and we can limit the time to m make it easier for us to enable more people to limit public comment.

8:24

Angela, have we done that before?

8:27

Alison, um you you can make that motion per year policies and procedures.

8:35

I would I would be inclined to uh limit the time limit from three minutes to two minutes and then allow for um 18 people total, so that would be 36 minutes, which would be twice as long as our normal six people total, three minutes each.

8:50

Um I recognize we have a lot to get through tonight, but I also want to recognize we have a lot of people here tonight.

8:56

Um and I think limit limiting the time while it sucks, we'll make it easier for us to hear from more people.

9:03

Um and so that we can hear from more people.

9:06

Alison, how many people are we limited to?

9:09

Public comment.

9:11

There's not a number of people listed in your policies and procedures, but it is at the commission's discretion if you want to change the time limit.

9:20

Um right now I counted about 18 people on your in-person sign-up sheet, and we have 17 attendees online.

9:26

We haven't asked for raised hands yet, so I don't have a sense.

9:29

Maybe if we could get attendees online to raise your hand if you're here to provide public comment, we could get a sense of how many total you have.

9:38

Commissioner Racer.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Procedural███████████████████████████████████35%
Planning And Zoning███████████████15%
Community Engagement█████████9%
Urban Planning█████████9%
Market Street Corridor Plan████████8%
Housing███████7%
Comprehensive Planning██████6%
Public Engagement███3%
Transportation███3%
Summary of Proceedings

Kirkland Planning Commission Meeting - July 11, 2024

The Kirkland Planning Commission held a continued public hearing on the 2044 Comprehensive Plan, focusing on the Kingsgate Neighborhood Plan update, general neighborhood plan amendments, and the Par Mac – Totem Lake Community-Initiated Amendment. The meeting included extensive public testimony, deliberation on multiple neighborhood plans, and votes on amendments. The commission also approved a change to the regular meeting start time to 6 PM.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Jennie Jaeger, Kirkland, described negative impacts of rising home prices and the lack of workforce housing.
  • Kira Krimkevich, Kirkland, recognized residents in blue representing many who feel the discourse in the room is not representative of most Kirkland residents.
  • Bev Marcus, Kirkland, expressed support for density near transit, stating that more housing leads to more transit and logical placement is near transit corridors.
  • Samy Khoury, Kirkland, suggested that affordable housing is due to supply and demand and nothing can be done about it.
  • Betsy Lewis, Kirkland, expressed concern about NE 70th Street designated as a transit corridor with limited bus service and potential neighborhood blight.
  • Ken MacKenzie, Kirkland, presented U.S. Census Bureau data indicating Kirkland’s population is shrinking by ~1% every three years and urged consideration in the Comprehensive Plan.
  • Forrest Whitehouse, Kirkland, expressed support for land use changes around the Par Mac site, the growth alternative in the SEIS, and Moss Bay Policy MB-32.
  • Angela Simmons, Kirkland, said she was anxious to learn more and share information, noting that past changes have negatively impacted traffic.
  • Elizabeth Calouri, Kirkland, recommended the city address infrastructure needs created by population and business growth.
  • Jack McCullough, representing Tom Schaffer (Par Mac CAR), supported the staff report and benefits of additional housing density near the CKC and I-405.
  • Sarah Jokar Deris, Kirkland, urged the city not to allow more apartments in her backyard, stating that the Par Mac property was rejected by potential buyers due to existing and planned apartments.
  • Pieter De Temmerman, Kirkland, described benefits of his West of Market neighborhood and expressed concern about replicating Seattle’s problems with density and crime.
  • Kyle Sullivan, Kirkland, supported housing for everyone, noting he and his peers cannot afford to rent or buy in Kirkland despite good careers.
  • John Kappler, Kirkland, requested reopening the record and better community outreach, citing concerning language in neighborhood plans.
  • Luke Travis, Kirkland, argued that suburban zoning led to escalating housing costs and homelessness, and urged bold action.
  • Deirdre Johnson, Kirkland, expressed concern about increasing density near unreliable transit, citing diminished service in Rose Hill.
  • Vince Campos, Kirkland, supported increasing density near transit, describing how high costs prevent his children from living in Kirkland.
  • Larry Waldman, Kirkland, supported opening the record for further conversation and expressed fear of unplanned change affecting traffic, transit, police, and fire.
  • Jennifer Ohayon, Kirkland, a realtor and developer spouse, urged responsible development and consideration of neighborhood will.
  • Tanya Dimpsey, Kirkland, expressed concern about density and building heights proposed in the Comprehensive Plan.
  • Jill Stoddart, Kirkland, requested not approving neighborhood plan revisions without better notification such as direct mailings and signs.
  • Michael Radcliff, Kirkland, commented on existing density and results of recent code changes passed with little input.
  • Ken Lin, Kirkland, expressed frustration that most residents only learned about the plan in recent weeks and urged the commission to consider public viewpoint.
  • Barbara Loomis, Kirkland, urged not to fill Par Mac with high density housing, noting there are only two industrial areas in the city, and concurred with taking more public testimony.

Discussion Items

  • Kingsgate Neighborhood Plan: Senior Planner LeAndra Baker-Lewis presented the update, study issues, and themes. The commission discussed and voted on amendments to Policy K-8 (carried 5-1) and Policy K-23 (carried 6-0). The plan was adopted as amended.
  • Market Neighborhood Plan: The commission approved the plan as recommended by staff with amendments to Policy M-1 and narrative text (carried 6-0).
  • Market Street Corridor Plan: Extensive discussion on amendments. The commission approved edits to Policies MS-7, MS-10, MS-11 (carried 4-2), and added Policy MS-14 (carried 6-0). A motion to reinstate Policy MS-8 (building heights) failed 1-4 then 0-6. The public hearing on the Market Street Corridor Plan was continued to August 22, 2024, with the record reopened for verbal public comment.
  • Central Houghton Neighborhood Plan: The commission adopted the plan as recommended by staff with amendments to the vision statement (carried 6-0), Policy CH-6.1 (carried 4-2), Policy CH-7.3 (carried 6-0 with design review language retained), and Policy CH-17.1 (carried 6-0).
  • Highlands Neighborhood Plan: Adopted as recommended by staff with an amendment to Policy H-11 replacing "single family" with "single unit dwellings" (carried 6-0).
  • Par Mac – Totem Lake Community-Initiated Amendment: Staff presented the request, which is part of the Totem Lake Business District plan. The commission discussed and will consider it as part of the continued hearing on July 25, 2024.
  • Planning Commission Policies and Procedure Amendments: Vice Chair Heiser proposed changing the start time of regular Planning Commission meetings to 6 PM. The motion carried 6-0.

Key Outcomes

  • Kingsgate Neighborhood Plan: Approved with amendments to K-8 and K-23. (Motion carried 6-0 after amendments)
  • Market Neighborhood Plan: Approved with amendments to M-1 and narrative text. (Motion carried 6-0)
  • Market Street Corridor Plan: Public hearing continued to August 22, 2024; record opened for verbal testimony. Amendments to MS-7, MS-10, MS-11, and MS-14 approved. Motion to reinstate MS-8 failed.
  • Central Houghton Neighborhood Plan: Approved with amendments to vision statement, CH-6.1, CH-7.3 (design review retained), and CH-17.1. (Motion carried 6-0)
  • Highlands Neighborhood Plan: Approved with amendment to H-11. (Motion carried 6-0)
  • Remaining Neighborhood Plans (Lakeview, Bridle Trails, Moss Bay, Everest, Rose Hill, Norkirk, Finn Hill, NE 85th Street Station Subarea, Totem Lake Business District): Continued public hearing to July 25, 2024; written record remains open. (Motion carried 6-0)
  • Land Use Element Hearing: Moved from July 25 to August 22, 2024, with the record reopened for spoken testimony. (Motion carried 6-0)
  • Planning Commission Meeting Start Time: Changed to 6 PM effective immediately. (Motion carried 6-0)
  • Minutes: Minutes of April 11 and May 9, 2024, were approved. (Motion carried 6-0)

Meeting Transcript

Order the July 11th, 2024 regular meeting of the Kirkland Planning Commission. I think we have roll call. Katya Allen. Present. Bria Heiser. Here. Erin Jacobson. Here. Gina Madea. Here. Scott Racer. Here. Angela Rosman. Here. Rodney Rutherford. Thanks. Okay. What a great turnout tonight. Thank you all for your civic involvement. Um the next item on our agenda tonight will be um items from the audience. So I wanted to go through this as a little bit more of a complicated um time frame here with the different meetings and the continuances. So I'm going to read from this. I'll try to be quick. Uh the items from the uh audiences are next item on our agenda. This is the portion of the meeting when we hear from the public about items that are not scheduled for public hearing tonight. Before I provide instructions for public comment, I would like to clarify a couple points based on the themes we have noticed when reading many emailed uh comments we've received over the last couple weeks. Uh and today. First, tonight's agenda includes a continued public hearing to discuss amendments to multiple neighborhood plans, including uh included in the comprehensive plan. The record for spoken testimony was closed by the planning commission on the original hearing date of May 23rd. At the May 23rd meeting, planning commission voted to keep the record open for written testimony on the neighborhood plans, and we have received a large volume of written testimony. We thank you for your time providing us with this information. Commission commissioners, we all do. We all read these, and we really appreciate your feedback and um all the emails that you send. Second, many of the comments we've received are related to the potential of increased residential capacity along frequent transit corridors. The proposed policy and map related to this issue is included in the draft land use elements of the comprehensive plan because this high level policy change is being considered citywide. The planning commission is not deliberating on recommendations on this policy or map tonight. This policy and map are not part of tonight's public hearing. This topic will be discussed when the commission continues our deliberations on the land use element at our July twenty-fifth meeting. For tonight's public comments, audience members are limited to three minutes, and we will ask that you direct your comments to the commission. The timer on the dial will flash a yellow light when you are nearing the end of your time and a red light when your time has elapsed. To be fair to all speakers, we will adhere strictly to the three minute limit. The commission wants to hear as many different views and opinions as you can offer us. If you've already heard another speaker state your comment, please consider not repeating the comment and instead providing a comment or perspective that is unique to yours, to your own. We'll begin items from the audience with the list of people here in person. Um Madam Chair. Yes. Um I believe we can change our rules to allow for more people to uh give public comment and we can limit the time to m make it easier for us to enable more people to limit public comment. Angela, have we done that before? Alison, um you you can make that motion per year policies and procedures. I would I would be inclined to uh limit the time limit from three minutes to two minutes and then allow for um 18 people total, so that would be 36 minutes, which would be twice as long as our normal six people total, three minutes each.

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