OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD
Record of Proceedings

Kirkland Planning Commission Meeting - April 24, 2025

Planning Commission — Thursday, April 24, 2025
BodyKirkland, Washington
SessionPlanning Commission
DateThursday, April 24, 2025
StatusFILED
Video Record
0:00 / 4:27:38

Transcript — Verbatim
1:06

This meeting of the Kirkland Planning Commission is called to order.

1:10

Let's start with a roll call.

1:12

Rhea Heiser.

1:14

Aaron Jacobson.

1:15

Here.

1:15

Gina Medea.

1:17

Here.

1:17

Scott Ricer.

1:18

Here.

1:19

Justin Robbins.

1:20

Here.

1:20

Angela Rosman.

1:21

Here.

1:21

Rodney Rutherford.

1:23

Here.

1:24

And with a quorum with the majority of the commissioners present, we have a quorum.

1:30

So next is comments from the audience.

1:33

Can I say something really quick?

1:37

Just for anyone who is commenting not on the public hearing, but potentially talking about parking.

1:44

I just wanted to bring notice to everyone that the state has passed a couple of parking bills this year.

1:52

Um that would limit parking requirements to point five per unit and none for under 1200 square feet.

2:02

So if that is part of what you want to say, I just wanted to give you a heads up and let you focus on the stuff that we can take into advisement.

2:13

You're welcome to talk about parking.

2:14

I just wanted to give you heads up, so if you wanted to spend your time talking about other things, um you can do so.

2:22

Thank you, Commissioner Rosman.

2:24

All right.

2:25

With that, I will introduce uh the next item on our agenda is yes.

2:33

This I'm in about to introduce that that item.

2:39

It it is uh items and items from the audience.

2:42

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

2:47

Tonight's public hearing is for proposed zoned zoning code amendments to codify the city's ability to adopt development agreements.

2:55

In order to hear from as many so this will not be covering that section.

2:59

We'll cover that later.

3:01

This is for any other topic.

3:02

In order to hear from as many people as possible tonight, we're allowing any individual wishing to provide comments to speak for a maximum of three minutes.

3:09

The timer on the lecture will flash a yellow light when 30 seconds remain, and a red light when your time has ended.

3:15

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

3:19

The commission wants to hear from as many different views and opinions as possible.

3:22

If you have already heard another speaker state your comment, please consider not repeating that comment and instead instead provide a comment or perspective that is unique to you.

3:30

In making your comments, we ask that you please direct them to the commission.

3:35

But this is not a time for give and take with the commission.

3:37

Obscene, profane, threatening, harassing our abusive language towards the commission, city staff or those in the audience is not allowed.

3:44

As audience members, please refrain from any demonstrative agreement or disagreement with a speaker, such as clapping, cheering, or booing.

3:51

These actions are not only disruptive, they may also intimidate or have the effect of excluding others in the community whose views may differ.

3:58

We'll begin items in the audience with a list of people here in person that have signed up to speak.

4:03

When I call your name, please approach the dais to address us.

4:16

So please remain muted until I call your name, and then you may unmute to address the commission.

4:21

So the first uh signed in tonight is and only for for in-person uh comments is Kate uh Conat.

4:34

And after that we'll have Brady Nordstrom on the online.

4:39

Thank you for this opportunity and thank you for your hard work on behalf of our Kirkland community.

4:44

My name is Kate Conant, and I live in the Wanita neighborhood of Kirkland.

4:48

I'm commenting on attachment number two, the JBD four rezone of the Michaels Cath Kelly sites.

4:55

My focus is on the development standards of public benefits, pedestrian access and walkways.

5:01

Attachment number two recommends improving the walkways along the busy intersection at the Juanita at the intersection of Juanita Drive and 100th Avenue.

5:09

I'm thankful for these improved sidewalk recommendations.

5:12

However, the pedestrian access recommendations do not go far enough.

5:17

We need improved sidewalks on the southwest corner and a version of option A, a through block pathway, which is, I believe, the term you're using between Juanita Beach and Juanita Bay Parks.

5:31

The citizens of Kirkland need a greenway path at the site, allowing them to move between the parks surrounded by the unique natural features of this lakeside environment.

5:39

I don't need to tell you that Kirkland citizens value their connected green space, parks, and lakeshore.

5:44

It's in the Juanita neighborhood plan vision statement and throughout the neighborhood plan policies.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting
Planning And Zoning███████████████████████████████████████39%
Transportation████████████████16%
Zoning Regulations█████████9%
Affordable Housing███████7%
Public Engagement███████7%
Retail Development███████7%
Procedural█████5%
Parking Management██2%
Transportation Safety██2%
Summary of Proceedings

Kirkland Planning Commission Meeting – April 24, 2025

The Kirkland Planning Commission held a regular meeting on April 24, 2025 from 6:01 PM to 10:27 PM in the Council Chamber. The Commission conducted a public hearing on zoning code amendments to codify development agreements and provided extensive direction on zoning code amendments for two Juanita neighborhood rezone projects (JBD4 / Michaels site and North Juanita Center / Balboa/Goodwill site). A briefing on Critical Area Ordinance updates was postponed.

Consent Calendar

  • No consent calendar items were listed; the meeting began with roll call and comments from the audience.

Public Comments & Testimony

  • Kate Connet (Kirkland resident) urged the Commission to include a through-block pathway connecting Juanita Beach and Juanita Bay Parks in the public benefits for the JBD4 rezone.
  • Brady Nordstrom (Housing Development Consortium) expressed full support for sufficient housing capacity in neighborhood centers to meet Kirkland’s affordability and growth goals.
  • Liz Hunt (Kirkland resident) raised concerns about transportation concurrency, transit reliability in Juanita (noting buses often not running), and readability of meeting packet attachments.
  • Kathy Schmall (Kirkland resident) described existing severe traffic congestion on 116th and Market Street and worried that seven-story development on the Michaels site would exacerbate it.
  • Karl Pettersson (owner of Michaels property) and Jessica Roe (McCullough Hill) presented the applicant’s request for 75-foot height, stating lower heights would not enable redevelopment due to site constraints (wetlands, required improvements). Jeff Schramm (TENW traffic engineer) stated that 170 residential units would generate about 70 PM peak trips, a 30% reduction from the current retail use. Jessica Roe urged caution on pedestrian connection and green building requirements.
  • Allison Warner (Balboa Retail Partners) presented three conceptual schemes for the Goodwill site (600 apartments, 480 units in wrap style, or 250 apartments + 70 townhomes), all requiring 75-foot height and flexible retail requirements along 100th Avenue NE. She noted financing challenges and the need for project feasibility.
  • Ingrid Salmon (Kirkland resident) spoke during the final public comment period, emphasizing the need for a community gathering space / town square near 100th & 132nd and concerns about traffic.

Discussion Items

  • Zoning Code Amendments to Codify Development Agreements (CAM25-00072): Staff presented amendments to create a new chapter (KZC 164) formalizing procedures for development agreements. A key provision allows differing standards for properties within ¼ mile of I-405, but only upon City Council approval with significant public benefits. The Commission discussed whether language should require adequate transit access. A motion to recommend the draft code as amended by staff (minor clarifying edit) passed 6-0. The recommendation goes to City Council on May 6.

  • JBD 4 Zoning Code Amendments (CAM20-00676) & North Juanita Center Zoning Code Amendments (CAM24-00910) – Briefing #2: Staff reviewed community engagement themes (traffic concerns, support for housing, reduced parking). The Commission heard from property owners and then provided direction on development standards. Key decisions included:

    • Uses: Supported staff recommendation (allow mixed uses, new use line).
    • Ground Floor Requirements (JBD4): Consensus for Option C (flexible; majority of ground floor commercial, not required on 98th; residential ancillary uses allowed).
    • Pedestrian Street Standards: Supported staff recommendation.
    • Density (JBD4): Motion to adopt staff recommendation (remove 1,800 sf/unit density) passed 5-1 (Gina Madeya opposed).
    • Building Height (JBD4): Motion to draft code aligning with applicant’s 75-foot request passed 5-1 (Madeya opposed).
    • Height Transition (JBD4): Motion for Option B (no height transition) passed 6-0.
    • Design (Vertical Definition, Horizontal Modulation): Consensus for Option B (rely on design regulations).
    • Parking (JBD4): Motion to direct staff to draft code in accordance with future state requirements (not wait 18 months) passed 6-0.
    • Public Benefits – Pedestrian Access (JBD4): Motion for Option B with study of waterward pathway (easement or city involvement) passed 6-0.
    • Public Open Space (JBD4): Motion for Option A passed 6-0.
    • Land Use Buffer (JBD4): Motion for Option C (no buffer requirement) passed 6-0.
    • Yards/Setbacks (JBD4): Motion to no changes passed 6-0.
    • Affordable Housing (JBD4): Motion to keep existing requirements but consider flexibility options passed 6-0.
    • High Performing Buildings: Consensus to include both options for public hearing.
    • Lot Coverage: Consensus to allow 100%.
    • Review Process: Consensus to allow developer choice between Design Review Board or administrative design review.
    • North Juanita Center (Goodwill site): Similar direction provided: Uses – consensus for Option C (allow attached dwelling units as independent use within study area). Ground floor – support applicant’s request with hard cap on residential ancillary uses; encourage commercial on NE 132nd St but require on 110th Ave NE. Density – remove restriction; consider minimum density options. Height – 75 feet with 45-degree sky exposure plane near low-density zones. Parking – draft to state requirements. Public benefits – explore additional bike facilities. Affordable housing – same as JBD4 with flexibility. Lot coverage – 100%. Review process – same as JBD4. The Commission decided to proceed to a public hearing, rescheduled to June 12, 2025.

  • Critical Area Ordinance Updates (CAM25-00248): Postponed to May 22, 2025 meeting.

Key Outcomes

  • Development Agreement Code: Recommended to City Council (6-0).
  • JBD4 & North Juanita Center Zoning Amendments: Provided comprehensive direction to staff to draft code; public hearing set for June 12, 2025.
  • Critical Area Ordinance Briefing: Postponed to May 22, 2025.
  • Minutes Approved: February 27, 2025 minutes approved 6-0.
  • Administrative Items: Planning Work Program adopted by Council with revisions; Julia Nolan confirmed as new Planning Commissioner; officer elections scheduled for May 8, 2025.
  • Vote Tallies: All motions passed with recorded votes: 6-0 (unanimous) on most items, with two motions passing 5-1 (Commissioner Madeya opposed on density and height for JBD4).
  • Next Steps: Staff will prepare draft code incorporating Commission guidance and present at public hearing; Council adoption anticipated later.

Meeting Transcript

This meeting of the Kirkland Planning Commission is called to order. Let's start with a roll call. Rhea Heiser. Aaron Jacobson. Here. Gina Medea. Here. Scott Ricer. Here. Justin Robbins. Here. Angela Rosman. Here. Rodney Rutherford. Here. And with a quorum with the majority of the commissioners present, we have a quorum. So next is comments from the audience. Can I say something really quick? Just for anyone who is commenting not on the public hearing, but potentially talking about parking. I just wanted to bring notice to everyone that the state has passed a couple of parking bills this year. Um that would limit parking requirements to point five per unit and none for under 1200 square feet. So if that is part of what you want to say, I just wanted to give you a heads up and let you focus on the stuff that we can take into advisement. You're welcome to talk about parking. I just wanted to give you heads up, so if you wanted to spend your time talking about other things, um you can do so. Thank you, Commissioner Rosman. All right. With that, I will introduce uh the next item on our agenda is yes. This I'm in about to introduce that that item. It it is uh items and items from the audience. This is the portion of the meeting when we hear it from the public about items that are not scheduled for public hearing. Tonight's public hearing is for proposed zoned zoning code amendments to codify the city's ability to adopt development agreements. In order to hear from as many so this will not be covering that section. We'll cover that later. This is for any other topic. In order to hear from as many people as possible tonight, we're allowing any individual wishing to provide comments to speak for a maximum of three minutes. The timer on the lecture will flash a yellow light when 30 seconds remain, and a red light when your time has ended. To be fair to all speakers, we will adhere strictly to the three minute limit. The commission wants to hear from as many different views and opinions as possible. If you have already heard another speaker state your comment, please consider not repeating that comment and instead instead provide a comment or perspective that is unique to you. In making your comments, we ask that you please direct them to the commission. But this is not a time for give and take with the commission. Obscene, profane, threatening, harassing our abusive language towards the commission, city staff or those in the audience is not allowed. As audience members, please refrain from any demonstrative agreement or disagreement with a speaker, such as clapping, cheering, or booing. These actions are not only disruptive, they may also intimidate or have the effect of excluding others in the community whose views may differ. We'll begin items in the audience with a list of people here in person that have signed up to speak. When I call your name, please approach the dais to address us. So please remain muted until I call your name, and then you may unmute to address the commission. So the first uh signed in tonight is and only for for in-person uh comments is Kate uh Conat. And after that we'll have Brady Nordstrom on the online. Thank you for this opportunity and thank you for your hard work on behalf of our Kirkland community.

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