Kirkland Planning Commission Meeting – May 8, 2025

The Kirkland Planning Commission convened on May 8, 2025, at 6:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The primary agenda item was a public hearing on the WA State Housing Code Compliance Zoning Amendments (File No. CAM24-00561). The commission also approved minutes from prior meetings, held officer elections, and received a calendar update. All six present commissioners voted unanimously on most motions, with one abstention on a parking amendment.

Consent Calendar

• Approved meeting minutes from March 13, 2025, and March 27, 2025 (motion carried 6-0).

Public Comments & Testimony

Public testimony was taken during the public hearing (6:02 PM – 6:48 PM). Five speakers addressed the commission:

1. Kyle Sullivan – Expressed support for extending affordable housing requirements to low-density zones and praised the flexibility of the proposed updates.
2. Luke Travis – Favored amendments allowing more than one unit per lot and inclusionary zoning; recommended using “frequent transit” rather than “major transit” and supported parking limits.
3. Liz Hunt – Recommended retaining floor area ratio (FAR) limits, allowing ADUs to count toward density, choosing Option 1 for inclusionary zoning, mitigating loss of on‑street parking, and ensuring adequate infrastructure in low‑density areas.
4. Alex Mason – Concerned about the in‑lieu affordable housing fee for new units over 2,000 sq ft that exempts renovations; suggested a credit for existing houses.
5. Lucy Jiang – Shared personal experience living in middle housing in New York and noted younger people’s interest in smaller, affordable options. No additional testimony was received after staff presented last‑minute technical corrections.

Discussion Items

WA State Housing Code Compliance Zoning Amendments (CAM24-00561) Senior Planner Scott Guter presented a phased approach to meet state requirements by the June 30, 2025, deadline. Key elements included:

• Base Density & Housing Types: Planning Commission previously decided to limit housing types in low‑density zones to six, allow up to two ADUs per middle‑housing development, retain existing parking standards outside a half‑mile of major transit stops, and defer inclusionary zoning to Phase 2.
• Affordable Housing Options: Two options were presented. The Planning Commission‑recommended (Option 1) retained existing affordable housing requirements (kicking in at 10 units). The Council‑recommended (Option 2) added new requirements in low‑density zones (Chapter 112) with an effective date of June 30, 2026, exempting units ≤ 2,000 sq ft and applying a 10% affordability requirement or payment‑in‑lieu.
• Parking Comparison: Staff showed existing, draft, and SB 5184 parking standards (maximums). SB 5184 was signed into law on May 7, 2025, and must be implemented within 18 months.
• Code Amendments: Draft changes to definitions (KZC 95), parking (KZC 105), public improvements (KZC 110), development standards (KZC 115), nonconformance (KZC 162), and plates (KZC 180).

Commissioners deliberated and proposed amendments:

• Commissioner Jacobson introduced a scaled affordable‑housing in‑lieu fee for low‑density zones: first 2,500 sq ft exempt, then a per‑square‑foot fee calculated from a prototype unit. This was intended to avoid a flat $45,000 fee for modest‑sized homes. Staff clarified the fee would be based on site‑specific land costs.
• Commissioner Jacobson also proposed directing staff to align parking requirements with SB 5184 for middle housing, ensuring existing lower standards are not increased.

Officer Elections (8. a.)

• Chair: Rodney Rutherford nominated and re‑elected (6‑0).
• Vice Chair: Angela Rozmyn nominated and elected (6‑0). Commissioner Heiser was thanked for her service.

Public Meeting Calendar Update (8. b.) Staff noted upcoming meetings: May 22 – design review streamlining, unit lot subdivisions (hearings), and critical area ordinance briefing; June 12 – Juanita zoning amendment public hearing.

Key Outcomes

• Motion 1 (Base): Recommend the Council Option 2 draft code, including staff’s technical corrections to KZC 113.25 and 105.18. (Passed 6‑0)
• Motion 2 (Amend – Affordable Housing): Amend Chapter 112 to adopt the scaled in‑lieu fee for low‑density zones (first 2,500 sq ft exempt, per‑square‑foot fee thereafter). (Passed 6‑0)
• Motion 3 (Amend – Parking): Direct staff to draft reduced minimum parking requirements aligning with SB 5184 for middle housing and not increase where existing standards are already lower. (Passed 5‑0, Commissioner Reusser abstained)
• Final Motion (as amended): Carried 6‑0.
• The public hearing was closed at 7:41 PM. The commission’s recommendation will be forwarded to the City Council for its June 3 meeting.
• Officer elections resulted in Rodney Rutherford (Chair) and Angela Rozmyn (Vice Chair) for the upcoming year.