Kirkland Planning Commission Meeting – March 13, 2025

The Kirkland Planning Commission met on Thursday, March 13, 2025, from 6:02 PM to 8:12 PM. The agenda included a public hearing on rezoning two city-owned parcels to park zone, a study session on zoning code amendments for the Juanita neighborhood (Michael's and Goodwill sites), and administrative reports. All seven commissioners were present. The commission unanimously approved staff's recommendation for the park rezones, and gave direction to staff on the zoning code amendments, including a preference to move forward with the two amendment requests without expanding to the full neighborhood center, and to bring draft code options to the April 24 study session.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Public Comments (6:03 PM – 6:12 PM): Two speakers commented on the upcoming Juanita zoning code amendments:
  • Alison Warner, representing Balboa Properties (owner of the Goodwill site), expressed support for proceeding with the amendments. She requested a height limit increase to 75 feet to accommodate 500–600 residential units and 10,000–15,000 square feet of ground floor retail. She stated support for affordable housing and requested that if staff recommends a broader study of BC 1 zoning, the Goodwill site should proceed separately or in parallel.
  • Jessica Roe, McCullough Hill, representing Carl Peterson (owner of the Michaels site), referred to a submitted letter. She noted the site is not on the shoreline, is constrained, and requested a 75-foot height limit to make mixed-use development feasible. She also requested a parking reduction, closer to 0.5 spaces per unit.
• Public Testimony on Rezone (6:12 PM – 6:28 PM): Scott Morris, Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance Board Member, thanked the city for acquiring and proposing to rezone the Finn Hill parcels, with the intent to include them in the Finn Hill Green Loop.

Public Hearing: Rezone of Former Houghton Park & Ride and Acquired Finn Hill Parcels to Park Zone (6:12 PM – 6:28 PM)

• Staff (Deputy Planning Director Allison Zike, Senior Planner Lindsay Levine) presented the proposal: rezoning two city-owned properties from Low Density Residential to Park Zone. The Houghton Park & Ride site (purchased 2023) was considered for a community aquatic center and is currently used as a temporary park; the Kraken iceplex proposal is separate and not part of this rezone. The Finn Hill parcels (five forested parcels) would be added to Juanita Heights Park, with community interest in a trail connection. Staff noted 20 emails supporting the Finn Hill rezone and none opposing.
• Commissioners asked about WSDOT easements on the northern portion of the Houghton site and the flexibility of the park zone for future uses.
• Motion: Vice Chair Bria Heiser moved to approve staff's recommendation for the rezone; seconded by Gina Madeya. Carried 7-0 (all present voting yes).

Study Session: JBD 4 and North Juanita Center Zoning Code Amendments (6:29 PM – 7:58 PM)

• Senior Planner LeAndra Baker-Lewis presented the background and process for two community-initiated zoning code amendment requests:
  • Request #1 (Michael's site, 9755 NE Juanita Dr): Owner requests height increase to 75 feet (originally 70 feet; applicant later clarified 75 feet), allowed density for up to 170 units on the property (modeling assumed 300 units across both properties in the JBD 4 zone), and 4,000–5,000 sq ft commercial space. The site is constrained by critical areas.
  • Request #2 (Goodwill site, 9826 NE 132nd St): Requests height increase to 75 feet, density for 500–600 residential units, and 10,000–15,000 sq ft commercial space. Site is a 4.2-acre property that slopes; adjacent low-density homes sit about 30 feet above the site.
• Public feedback themes: community does not want “seven-story boxes,” supports indoor/outdoor gathering spaces, and wants other neighborhoods involved in engagement.
• Staff proposed a public engagement plan with two phases, and noted that modeling for the Comprehensive Plan included the full requests. Discussion covered parking reductions, traffic impacts, school capacity, and building massing.
• Commissioner discussion:
  • Concerns about traffic and access at the Michael's site, parking minimums, and massing impacts on adjacent low-density neighborhoods.
  • Some commissioners supported moving forward with both sites without expanding to the entire neighborhood center; others wanted to avoid delaying a broader study. Commissioner Jacobson proposed an expedited timeline to bring draft code options to the April 24 study session, possibly leading to a public hearing in May. Several commissioners expressed concern about insufficient public engagement under an expedited schedule.
  • Staff indicated they could prepare high/low options for the April 24 meeting, but noted that expediting would limit community outreach on detailed regulations. The commission did not take a formal vote but generally agreed to aim for the faster timeline while leaving room to adjust at the April 24 meeting.
• Staff also noted: 76% of students at Juanita Elementary live within walking distance; only 4% use school buses.

Administrative Reports & Planning Commission Discussion (7:58 PM – 8:12 PM)

• Deputy Planning Director Zike reviewed upcoming meetings: March 27 study session on middle housing code amendments; April 10 meeting may be canceled; April 24 will include study session on Juanita code amendments, a briefing on critical area ordinance update, and a public hearing on a zoning text amendment for development agreements.
• Planning and Building Director Adam Weinstein proposed a training/retreat for staff and commissioners to visit an affordable housing development in Beacon Hill, Seattle. Commissioners provided input on dates; staff will follow up via email.
• Commissioners discussed how to better represent Planning Commission input at City Council meetings. Commissioner Medea raised the possibility of sending a commissioner to council meetings to provide a “minority report” or summary of commission recommendations, especially for decisions where the commission's position diverges from staff. After discussion, the consensus was that such representation should be reserved for major decisions, and that commissioners are available if council requests their input. Chair and Vice Chair already attend council meetings to present recommendations.

Key Outcomes

• Rezone Approved: Motion to approve staff's recommendation for the Houghton Park & Ride and Finn Hill parcels rezoning to Park Zone passed 7-0. The recommendation will be forwarded to City Council for adoption in late April or early May.
• Zoning Code Amendments Direction: The commission gave general direction to staff to bring draft zoning code options (high and low) for both the Michael's and Goodwill sites to the April 24 study session, with a goal of potentially moving to a public hearing in May. The commission did not direct a broader study of the North Juanita neighborhood center, but some commissioners expressed interest in addressing it in the future via the work program.
• Upcoming Meetings: Next meeting March 27 (middle housing study session); April 24 (Juanita code amendments, critical area ordinance briefing, public hearing on development agreement).
• Training Retreat: Staff will coordinate a Friday in May for an optional site visit to Beacon Hill with an affordable housing developer; interested commissioners should provide availability via email.