Kirkland Planning Commission Meeting Summary: July 25, 2024

The Kirkland Planning Commission held a continued public hearing on July 25, 2024, from 6:01 PM to 9:56 PM, primarily to deliberate and vote on neighborhood plan amendments for the 2044 Comprehensive Plan, including the Par Mac – Totem Lake Community-Initiated Amendment Request. The meeting featured extensive public testimony, staff presentations, and commission deliberations on multiple neighborhood plans. The commission adopted most plans with minor amendments, and set a timeline for further public input on the Market Street Corridor Plan.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Forrest Whitehouse expressed support for the Par Mac development and noted that new residents can minimize traffic impacts by using transit.
• Luke Travis argued that increasing housing supply helps affordability, citing examples like Austin and Tokyo, and urged Kirkland to be part of the solution.
• Larry Waldman expressed concern that the Comprehensive Plan lacks comprehensiveness and focuses too heavily on growth without detailing trade-offs.
• Jennifer Ohayon questioned the proposal to allow 50–200 units per acre in single-family neighborhoods, stating that the commission appears pro-density and does not represent the majority of residents.
• Martin Stoddart objected to proposed land use changes, arguing they exceed growth mandates and threaten neighborhood character.
• Liz Hunt criticized the lack of transparency in the Market Street Neighborhood Plan, noting that the public was not informed about major upzoning along transit corridors.
• Ken MacKenzie opposed proposals that enforce uniformity in building design, advocating for variety and architectural expression.
• Sarah Jokar Deris displayed a photo of a 7-story building behind her home and expressed concern about Par Mac development overshadowing her property.
• Kathleen Miller noted a lack of vision and consistency, and stated that traffic on Market Street is already severe.
• Jane Ainbinder (Co-Chair, Norkirk Neighborhood Association) recommended proper infrastructure—sidewalks, streetlights—to support increased density.
• Rich Nelson expressed concern about 4–6 story buildings proposed west of Market Street.
• Chris Brenneke suggested the city mail notices about proposed changes, as he had not received any communication.
• Bryan Olay asked for clearer goals and metrics for success in the Comprehensive Plan.
• Jill Stoddart argued that the 10-minute neighborhood concept does not match economic realities, and that affordable housing requirements should apply to all new developments, not just large projects.
• Lobak Kinea questioned the lack of infrastructure planning and data justifying additional density.
• Judy Ford expressed concern about lack of transparency and asked how long each commissioner has lived in Kirkland.
• Christine Krasinski criticized the lack of transparency, perceived pro-growth bias, and argued that high density does not reduce car use.
• Ishu Shu commented on affordability and lack of transparency or vision.
• Barbara Loomis urged commissioners to not always approve staff recommendations, citing a top-down approach.
• Mary Jessen criticized the lack of communication and transparency.
• Ingrid Salmon (online) asked if there would be an opportunity to comment on changes to the Finn Hill Neighborhood Plan; Chair Rutherford responded that the next step is City Council review.

Discussion Items

• Staff Presentation: Senior Planner LeAndra Baker-Lewis reviewed the status of neighborhood plans, written testimony themes, and sample edits. Deputy Director Allison Zike presented the Par Mac community-initiated amendment request, which proposes expanding the housing incentive area to allow housing (up to 65 feet) on additional parcels, but not increasing height limits. Director Adam Weinstein responded to commissioner questions.
• Commission Deliberations: The commission discussed each neighborhood plan individually, focusing on amendments related to design regulations, sustainability, cost of building housing, parking policies, and transit-oriented development. Key discussions included:
  • The Par Mac request: commissioners clarified that approving the Totem Lake Business District Plan would only allow housing up to existing height limits, not the requested 1200 units (which would require future zoning code amendments).
  • The Lakeview Neighborhood Plan: debated amendments to policies L-8.6 (building height), L-10.1 (open space), L-7.3 (parking monitoring), and L-9.1 (parking language).
  • The Bridle Trails Neighborhood Plan: amendments added references to Snyder's Corner park, sewer infrastructure, and bike lane gaps.
  • The Everest Neighborhood Plan: amendment to re-add specific height limits in Policy EV-10.
• Process and Transparency: Commissioners discussed improving public outreach, including mailing notices, engaging neighborhood associations, and using social media. Commissioner Jacobson proposed a process for sharing amendment ideas with the commission ahead of meetings.

Key Outcomes

• Totem Lake Business District Plan (including Par Mac CAR): Adopted 6-1 (Commissioner Madeya opposed).
• Rose Hill Neighborhood Plan: Adopted 7-0.
• Bridle Trails Neighborhood Plan: Adopted 7-0 with amendments to the vision statement, Policy BT-4, and Policy BT-20 (adding references to park, sewer, and bike lanes).
• Lakeview Neighborhood Plan: Adopted 7-0 with amendments:
  • Amendment to add "open space" to Policy L-10.1 (passed 7-0).
  • Amendment to strike Policy L-7.3 (failed 1-6).
  • Amendment to strike parking language in Policy L-9.1 (passed 7-0).
  • Direction to staff to add "east trail" to pedestrian/bicycle circulation policy.
• Moss Bay Neighborhood Plan: Adopted 7-0.
• Everest Neighborhood Plan: Adopted 7-0 with an amendment to Policy EV-10 re-adding specific height limits (passed 7-0).
• NE 85th Street Station Subarea Plan: Adopted 7-0.
• Norkirk Neighborhood Plan: Adopted 7-0.
• Finn Hill Neighborhood Plan: Adopted 7-0, with direction to staff to revise the historical context section based on input from the Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance.
• Public Hearing Closed at 9:37 PM.
• Next Meeting: August 8, 2024, at 6:00 PM, with a public hearing on miscellaneous code amendments and a study session on the housing element and Houghton Village development plan.
• Upcoming: Continued public hearing on the Land Use Element and Market Street Corridor Plan on August 22, 2024, with spoken testimony allowed.