MOSS BAY NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION

Don Winters called the meeting to order. We had a great turnout of about 70 members. 
Kirkland City Manager Kurt Triplett addressed the Sound Transit 3 options that could affect Kirkland and the Cross Kirkland Corridor. The City is particularly interested in an option to put Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) on the corridor. Light rail is currently one option, but BRT has more flexibility. For more information check the City's Nov 9 ST3 Update. Kurt mentioned that on Thursday, November 19, 2015, the City is hosting an Open House and Community Update at the Kirkland Performance Center (350 Kirkland Avenue) from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Staff will be available to answer questions about high capacity transit from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m.  A formal presentation by City officials will begin at 7:30 p.m. The ST3 transit package will be up for a region-wide ballot measure in November 2016.
 
Bea Nahon, Moss Bay's representative to the Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods (KAN) told us that KAN is having a public meeting on the ST3 issue. The meeting will be held Nov 23 at Heritage Hall. Bea will give the Moss Bay feedback at that time, and there will be an opportunity for public comment.
 
Maura O'Brien of the Washington State Department of Ecology reported on the cleanup of the contaminated Pace site at 500 7th Ave. S. (now home to Google phase 2). After years of cleanup attempts the site is now free of contaminants and is on the verge of being "delisted". Before that happens there will be a public comment period from Dec 4, 2015 - Jan 4, 2016. For a lot more information, check the Pace National Site fact sheet that Maura has provided to Moss Bay.
 
Bill Pollard of Talon Private Capital updated us on the Park Place redevelopment. The new center will be called Kirkland Urban to reflect the change in character of the project. Visit kirklandurban.com for a lot of information and some great graphics. Bill mentioned that in conjunction with the project there will be a new traffic signal at 5th St. and Central Way. The new center will create 2500 new jobs. There will be 300 new apartments that will rent for about $3 per square foot. Construction of phase 1 will start in Jan 2016 and end Dec 2017. Phase 2 will start in Jan 2018, and there will be a total of 4 years construction time for the entire project.
 
Kari Page, Kirkland's Neighborhood Outreach Coordinator, briefed us on the 2016 Neighborhood Safety Program. We can possibly have a project approved for up to $50,000 that would improve safety or accessibility. A new crosswalk and improved walkway at 2nd Ave and Kirkland Way, improved walkway on the south side of Kirkland Ave and a park sign at Marina Park are a couple of suggestions that have been submitted so far. Kari suggested submitting your project idea in the “Suggest a Project” interactive map by the end of 2015.
 
Two new traffic signals that were part of SRM's Google phase 2 project will be installed at Kirkland Way and 6th St S and 9th Ave S and 6th. Construction will start in summer 2016. New sidewalks are under construction along 6th St S between Google and Kirkland Ave.
 
A new access path and bridge that will connect the Cross Kirkland Corridor with the Houghton Center (Metropolitan Market) is well under way and should be finished within a month.
 
Our next meeting will be January 18, 2016, 7PM at Heritage Hall, 203 Market St. We hope to have a presentation on the Park Lane Mixed Use project (Antique Mall site) which is four stories of residential over one floor of retail. The project has cleared design review. You can view Design Review documents with plans here Part 1 | Part 2
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City Council Meeting with the Moss Bay and Lakeview  Neighborhood Associations  Submitted Questions/Comments (19)   Meeting Date: September 21, 2015 

​Planning:  1. You definitely need to consult/seek input from neighborhoods that will be affected by projects the council  approves. The Potala project on Lake Wash. Blvd. was badly bungled—it seems all Kirkland governing  groups mishandled this from the start. Clearly, the city council was challenged beyond its ability to  comprehend fully the project and its community impact. Keep in mind, you are there to serve the  residents of Kirkland, not impose upon them your preferences.  Response: Thank you for your comments. Following is an update on the status of the project:  The Potala Village project is subject to existing City development regulations and the City is legally  obligated to review the project under those regulations. The Design Review Board (DRB) is reviewing the  latest Potala Village proposal now. The applicant has been to the DRB twice already and is scheduled to  return on October 19. If the applicant is not ready with revised plans on the 19, the meeting will be  continued to November 16. The DRB reviews projects for consistency with the design guidelines for  pedestrian‐oriented business districts. Once the design review process is complete, the building permit  application will be reviewed by staff to be sure it is consistent with all Zoning, Building and other  applicable regulations.  2. I have a concern about the possible change in the height of proposed developments in the downtown  area of Kirkland; i.e. Park place and the Microsoft bldg. on Kirkland Way. I recently attended the Design  Review mtg. on August 17 and was very disheartened by the scope and massive development plan which  included buildings of 160' (eight levels plus two levels of screened features on top; buildings looked like  college dorms and govt/military buildings). The current code of five levels allows for development in line  with current downtown features and maintains the Kirkland feel.  In addition, I am worried about the overall Parkplace retail scope and the impact on the  waterfront/marina/Lake street/Central Ave. small retail businesses; there is an increase in empty building  space already. The Lake St./Central Ave./Park Lane/marina businesses are critical to the Kirkland  Community and vision of a vibrant core for the patrons. The Parkplace proposal is simply too big and  creates a potential negative impact on existing downtown features. The Council has a responsibility to  balance vital business plans for both areas necessary to maintain the development of downtown features  and desirability of living here.  The developers need to rethink the scope and future economic trends as well as the water features in  light of the drought and water usage reductions.  Traffic flow is a huge issue and a sensitivity to capacity for downtown residents is paramount when  development is approved.  My overriding concern is the height of the new developments. I support the current height code of five  levels for new developments in the downtown Kirkland neighborhoods and request that the City Council  maintain this requirement.  Response: The Parkplace development has gone through a long process to evaluate the height, size and  possible impacts of the proposal. The increase in height from 5 stories to 8 stories (115’ maximum) was  approved and became part of the Zoning Code regulations in 2008. The project which is now before the  Design Review Board is less dense than the original project that was approved by the DRB in 2010. The 
City Council Meeting with the Moss Bay and Lakeview  Neighborhood Associations  Submitted Questions/Comments (19)   Meeting Date: September 21, 2015 
 
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DRB reviews projects for consistency with the design guidelines for the area where the project is located. In  the case of Parkplace, there is a special Master Plan and also Design Guidelines for the site. There has also  been an environmental Impact Statement, Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement and Addendum  to the Environmental Impact Statement completed to evaluate the impacts (including traffic impacts) of  this project.  A proposed change in the regulations pertaining to the MRM (“Microsoft Building”) proposal will be  considered by the City Council at a study session on October 6. The current code allows 5 stories and up to  67’. The applicant is asking that this be changed to 5 stories of residential over ground floor retail (6  stories total) while maintaining the 67’ height limit.   The Planning Commission is also recommending that five stories of office over ground floor retail be  allowed (6 stories total) and that the height limit for office over retail be 80’.     The proposed changes would only be allowed if specific public amenities are provided.     The environmental impacts of the MRM project have been analyzed in a Supplemental Environmental  Impact Statement.     The zoning and master plan for Parkplace was completed in 2008 and included extensive public  involvement.  The height and uses were approved at that time, with a recent amendment to allow  residential.  The project is now with the Design Review Board that reviews the proposed project against  adopted design standards.  You can provide comments to the Design Review Board.  3. A person shall have the right to seek to preserve and restore views which existed at any time since he or  she purchased or occupied a property, when such views are from the primary living or entertainment  areas of his/her residence and have subsequently been unreasonably obstructed by the growth of trees.  Methods of relief that may be granted include pruning, thinning, windowing, topping, or removal of the  tree.   The tree owner needs to cooperate with the person whose views are being obstructed. A process needs  to be established in the Kirkland Municipal code to address this issue.   Please visit The City of Medina Municipal Code chapter 18.16 which has the process clearly laid out.  Thanks!  Response: The City Council has discussed this issue before and has decided not to try to regulate private  view protection due the complications of doing so and potential conflicts with efforts to preserve the City’s  tree canopy. The City has chosen to protect certain public views, for example along the Lake Washington  shoreline south of the downtown where developers are required to keep 30% of the property width  maintained as a view corridor between Lake Washington Boulevard the lake.  4. Design Review Board: The Walk condo/houses don't conform to the style and charm of the neighborhood.  Did they have to pass a design review? And if so, why were they allowed? What can be done in the  future?  Response: The Walk project (7th Avenue South west of Google & north of Lakeview Elementary) is not  located in an area subject to design review. Project review by the City is based on existing codes such as  height, setbacks, lot coverage, etc. The City’s current design review program is limited to a number of  mixed‐use areas in Kirkland, such as Totem Lake, Downtown, Juanita, and the 85th Street Corridor.    
 
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5. What is the schedule for Parkplace and what is happening with tenants?  Response: The Parkplace project is in the midst of the Design Review Board’s review. It is expected that  the Design Review Board process will be complete by the end of the year. The existing retail tenants,  except for the QFC, are beginning to move to new locations outside of Parkplace. QFC will remain until its  new store in Phase One of the redevelopment is completed. It is expected that the other tenants will be  gone by the beginning of the year, so that demolition and construction can begin.  6. Please provide an update on the antique mall site, what is planned, and when will it be redeveloped.  Response: A Design Review Board application for the site is currently being reviewed by the City. The  project proposal is for a five story mixed use structure with ground floor retail and residential units above.  The Design Review Board reviewed the project’s design at their September 8 Meeting and the applicant is  scheduled to return to the Board at their October 19 meeting. The September 8 DRB Packet can be  reviewed here:  http://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/planning/Boards_and_Commissions/DRB_Meeting_Information.htm  7. I first raised the issue of HEDGES AS FENCES at the Council meeting on May 4, 2010. We have spoken on  the phone a couple of times when you first joined the Council and I hope you remember me. The former  Mayor, Mrs. J. McBride, subsequently came to my house and said she was sure something could be done.  Nothing has been done.   The 140 + Leyland Cypress trees that were planted across three properties between 3rd St. and State St.  were planted to circumnavigate the City of Kirkland's fence height restrictions. Instead of building a fence,  one was planted that can GROW to a height of 65 ft. and beyond. These trees have no place in an urban  landscape. The ones in question have robbed my neighbors and me of our precious lake, mountains and  sunset views, and subsequently have affected our property values. Those views and values were intrinsic  in the desire to purchase here in the first place.  I ask that you and the Council consider adding a statute to the City ordinances that would protect  homeowners such as myself from this egregious method of obtaining privacy at someone else's expense.  Response: You are correct that a hedge is not subject to the same height limits as a fence. If the City  Council wished to institute a hedge height limit, it would also need to amend the zoning code and include a  clear definition of what constitutes a hedge to allow for uniform enforcement.  As noted in an earlier  question, the City Council has decided not to try to regulate private view protection due the complications  of doing so.  8. How does the development review process work and how is public input used?  Response: There are a number of different review process established in the zoning code.  For many  buildings, the only requirement is to obtain a building permit.  The permit application is reviewed by City  staff for compliance with all applicable regulations, including compliance with zoning regulations, building  codes and public works standards.   Although public comments may be submitted, public notice is not provided and the role of the staff review  is to assure that the applications meet adopted development regulations. Some types of applications, for  example the subdivision of land into multiple lots, require approval by the Planning Director or a Hearing  Examiner, with a formal opportunity for public comment. Although there is some discretion with these  types of applications, the main focus is still to determine whether the application complies with adopted  regulations.   Within many of the City’s business districts, developments above a specific size threshold require review  and approval by the City’s Design Review Board (DRB), a group of volunteer design professionals 
 
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appointed by the City Council.  The DRB holds public hearings to receive public input. The DRB is charged  with determining whether an application is consistent with design guidelines adopted by the City Council.  The design guidelines do not dictate a preferred style of architecture, but generally address the overall  massing of a building within the maximum height and minimum setbacks prescribed by the zoning.   A few types of applications require approval by the City Council, most significantly Planned Unit  Developments (PUD) which are proposals to build in a way that doesn’t strictly comply with the normal  development standards, but which purports to provide superior public benefits.  A public hearing is held by  the Hearing Director and the Examiner prepares a recommendation to the City Council.   If you’d like further information about the different types of development review procedures, please  contact Planning and Building Director Eric Shields at [email protected].  9. The parking study had poor methodology, how does the City oversee consultant’s work?  Response: The parking study was performed using a rigorous methodology to establish the actual parking  demand from individual developments during peak parking periods. The work of our consultants was  overseen by a City staff member assigned to the project. If you have further questions about the study  please contact Planning Supervisor Jon Regala at [email protected].   10. Is the City considering a renaming or rebranding of the downtown Kirkland area?  Response: A new name was suggested by a citizen and was considered by the Planning Commission, but  the Commission did not express an interest in pursuing the idea. 
Public Works:   11. When can we expect to see updates to residential sidewalks? (There have been numerous updates to  main arteries in Moss Bay.) I live on a street with lots of walking traffic yet only a few homes actually have  sidewalks. Many residents with no sidewalks park perpendicular to their homes making dodging vehicles a  challenge. In addition, there are a couple of areas of sidewalk that have lifted due to tree roots. I have  more than once tripped on them.  Much of the walking traffic is by Google employees and once the new building is open, walking traffic will  likely increase.   Someone had said that sidewalks are only installed in new developments. Then please explain to me why  2+ new homes on my street have no sidewalks.  I am unable to make the meeting and would appreciate receiving an email response.  Response: Thank you for your questions. The Public Works Department has reviewed your questions and  can offer the following:  When can we expect to see updates to residential sidewalks? Most residential streets without sidewalks  are improved as new development occurs. The City does install some sidewalks on residential streets in  areas that are school walk routes or that connect major pedestrian networks. For specific details in your  area, please contact Rosalie Wessels in the Public Works Department at 425‐587‐3803.  Ms. Wessels can  tell you if there are plans to install sidewalks in your area in the near future, either through current  development activity or planned work by the City.  What can you do if you notice a sidewalk with a tripping hazard? Please contact Public Works  Maintenance and Operations at 425‐587‐3900 and ask that staff inspect the sidewalk with tripping  hazard. Also, please be aware your input is particularly helpful at this time, because the Public Works  Department is in the process of doing a comprehensive inventory of all City sidewalks, identifying  maintenance needs and priorities.   
 
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Why is there no sidewalk in front of some new houses that were built in my neighborhood? There are  portions of the Moss Bay Neighborhood that have code adopted standards requiring sidewalk on only one  side of the street (due to the narrow widths of the existing public rights‐of‐way). If you can contact Rosalie  Wessels of the Public Works Department (425‐587‐3900) and let her know which houses do not have  sidewalks, Ms. Wessels can research the address and let you know why the homes do not have sidewalks.   12. During rush hour more and more people are zipping up NE 64th St and down 103rd Ave NE in order to  essentially cut in line at NE 68th St and 103rd Ave light. The main problem is this is a residential  neighborhood with a lot of kids around. The drivers don’t have to stop since there are no Stop signs, and  only the traffic circle at NE 67th and 103rd. The traffic circle was installed to be a ‘calming device’ to slow  drivers down, but the majority of the cut through drivers are zipping down 103rd at 40+ MPH and many  actually seem to speed up through the traffic circle. Many of these drivers don’t even check to see if there  is any East West traffic entering the circle because they seem to assume the North South traffic has the  right of way and the other drivers will be the ones yielding. Is it possible to replace the Yield signs for the  North/South traffic with Stop signs?  Response: Public Works staff will evaluate this request. Typically, there is no traffic control at a traffic  circle; traffic entering the circle is required to yield to vehicles that are already in the circle. At some  locations, however, we’ve left the yield or stop signs that were present before the circles were installed.  For more information, contact Traffic Control Coordinator Kathy Robertson at [email protected]  or (425‐587‐3870).  13. What is happening with parking especially along Central and Lake WA Blvd?  Response: Right now there are no changes contemplated for parking along Central Way or Lake  Washington Boulevard. Other parking changes have been made, such as new signing to encourage  parking at City Hall, opening Lake Avenue West to parking for downtown employees, expanding pay  parking in the Lake and Central lot, adding time limits to Market Street between Central Way and 6th  Avenue and improving the library garage with cleaning, painting and improved security. Public Works staff  is continuing to investigate the possibilities of new supply both at the Lake and Central lot and on the  property to the South of City Hall. For more information, contact Stephen Padua at  [email protected] or (425‐587‐3871).  14. Please provide an update on stairs at Houghton trestle.  Response: The concrete steps and bicycle runnel will be located on the southeastern corner of the NE 68th  Street and Cross Kirkland Corridor bridge/crossing. The stair connection was the top priority funded by the  Neighborhood Safety Program in June of 2015. The project is currently in design and is anticipated to be  complete late this year (or early 2016). For more information, contact Kari Page, Neighborhood Outreach  Coordinator, [email protected] or call 425‐587‐3011.  15. Safety on 5th Place: Now that Google finished paving, pedestrians are walking in the street. What can be  done for pedestrian and bike safety, such as signs or methods of forcing them into sidewalks or bike  lanes? Once the 800 Google employees occupy the new building, can the city do a site review along 7th,  6th and 5th Place down to State Street to assess traffic and safety and make adjustments if needed. Also,  the sign “Don't park on the pavement” should be removed!  Response: Public Works staff would be happy to do a review of traffic safety once the Google project is  complete and additional employees are in place.  Staff was unable to find the “Don’t park on the  pavement” sign and is checking with the requestor to see if it has been removed. For more information,  contact Iris Cabrera at [email protected] or (425‐587‐3866). 
 
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16. Railroad Ave and Kirkland Way Intersection: the request to address pedestrian/car safety was not selected  for the Neighborhood Safety Program grant and was shot down as a CIP project. The safety issues still  need to be addressed.  Response: One of the changes to the proposed CIP is additional funding for expanded safety programs.  This provides flexible funding that can be used to make safety improvements, and the Railroad  Ave/Kirkland Way intersection seems like a good candidate. A list of projects has not yet been identified.  We know that this is high on the list for the neighborhood and also for KAN. For more information please  contact David Godfrey at [email protected] or (425‐587‐3865). 
The following questions were asked at the meeting and needed additional clarification from staff:  1. When will the Parking study be complete?  Response: The Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods has organized a task force that is first looking at the  causes and effects of spillover parking in Kirkland neighborhoods. They recently completed a survey  gathering data observed by Kirkland residents from all neighborhoods. They expect the next steps will  be to use the data gathered to look for solutions to recommend to the City for possible  implementation. The timeline is not certain and they will be discussing this further at their upcoming  meeting in mid‐November. This is not a City administered study; however, staff anticipates eventually  receiving policy recommendations from KAN for further study by City staff. For more information about  parking, in general, contact David Godfrey, Transportation Manager at 425‐ 587‐3865 or email  [email protected].  2. How long is a building permit good?  Response: Commercial and multi‐family building permits are good for three years, single‐family  building permits are good for two years, trade permits (electrical, plumbing and mechanical)  associated with a building permit are good for the length of the building permit.  Standalone trade  permits are good for one year.  We do have penalties for owners that build a single‐family house (or  addition) and do not get the outside finished within two years.  This is to minimize the impacts of  construction to the neighbors.  3. Why was Home Grown allowed to have so much outdoor seating?  Response: As part of the Design Review of the Bank of America project, it was anticipated that the  tenant would have outdoor seating. The seating area is located on private property. Staff has  measured the distance between the railing and curb and determined that the area meets the minimum  distance for walking. 

​

​Don Winters called the meeting to order. We had a turnout of about 50 members. 
Penny Sweet, Kirkland City Councilmember and Deputy Mayor, gave a "State of the City" briefing, with an emphasis on Moss Bay. Councilmember Toby Nixon assisted with the presentation. Penny owns a business in Moss Bay and organizes several events downtown. Penny told us that the Kirkland's financial situation is good and that the City has been responsible about setting aside money to fully fund next year's budget. A focus of the Council is economic development -- with Google expansion, Park Place and Totem Lake redevelopments leading the way. The Council is pursuing the goal of the "ten minute neighborhood", where residents live within walking distance of amenities.
 
Downtown parking is a struggle that will get worse before it gets better due to construction that will close lots at the Antique Mall site and other locations. Penny thinks aggressive action to alleviate the situation is in order, including opening up Lake Ave. W. to parking, enforcing employee parking rules and adding space in the library lot and auxiliary lot at Marina Park.
 
Penny talked about the City Work Plan. Kirkland is working with Sound Transit to get some kind of transportation on the Cross Kirkland Corridor. The City is also looking to distribute fire stations in the annexation areas so that there is a five minute response time. You can suggest a capital  project on the city web site by following this link. The ARC (Aquatics Recreation Community Center) will be on the ballot in 2015 to decide if we will pay for it with taxes. The City is looking into creating a women's shelter, and also creating "Healthy Kirkland" plans for employees in an effort to reduce escalating health insurance costs.
 
Sally Otten of the recently formed Kirkland Parks Foundation -- an organization founded to preserve and enhance parks -- told us how the foundation wants to build a picnic shelter at Waverly Beach Park. They are currently raising funds for this and you can contribute by visiting their web site.
 
We revived our "Neighborhood Business Segment" with Alvin Loh of Jobventon as our guest. Alvin has lived in Kirkland since 2005 and co-founded the company that helps small and midsize companies find qualified job applicants through Jobvention's unique technology. Rather than operate from an office, for the past two years Alvin and his business partner have worked out of Caffe Rococo on Park Lane from 10am - 12pm on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. This keeps overhead costs down and connects them with their desired demographic as their business grows. Alvin can be reached at [email protected]  or stop by to meet him at Caffe Rococo!
 
Matt and Joe Razore or MRM Capital were our next guests. MRM plans to redevelop their property at 434 Kirkland Ave. They are looking to change the zoning on the site to allow more residential. Currently only a small percentage of residential is allowed. They propose to build 5 stories of residential over 1 floor of retail, with the possibility of a hardware store or pharmacy as anchor tenant.
 
Bea Nahon, Moss Bay's rep to KAN, mentioned KAN's new web site, kirklandkan.org.  KAN meets the second Wednesday of each month. Bea mentioned that we need Moss Bay members to report volunteer hours to go towards our grant, which we intend to donate to Kirkland's 4th of July celebration.
 
Sharon Hoglund, a long time member of Moss Bay, mentioned the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast to be held May 23.
 
Aimee Voelz mentioned the Neighborhood Safety Program ideas that were selected for funding by the City.
 
Our next meeting will be held Sept 21, 2015 at Heritage Hall, 203 Market St.

Don Winters called the meeting to order. We had a turnout of about 40 members. City Council Member Shelley Kloba was in attendance. 
​
Rosalie Wessels of the Kirkland Parks Board updated us on the A.R.C Center. Juanita Beach Park is no longer under consideration for the location of the ARC. A site with good access and 7 acres is necessary. Two sites being looked at are the Christ Church site near the Kirkland Justice Center and privately owned parcels at Totem Lake. The City Council has expressed interest in exploring a ballot measure that would propose the creation of a Metropolitan Park District (MPD) to finance the ARC Center and to have it on the ballot as early as November 2015. Rosalie discussed a pilot program for off-leash dog hours in specific parks, with Peter Kirk in Moss Bay as one possibility. 26 acre Edith Moulton Park in north Juanita is being developed in phases with trails and facilities.
 
Philly Hoshko, City of Kirkland Special Projects Coordinator, briefed us on the Downtown Parking Study. On Jan 6 the parking study was presented to City Council. The Council surveyed the public on nine options, the results of which can be found here. Recommendations will go to the City Council on April 7.
 
Don Winters gave a photo slide show on the history of railroading in Kirkland. Trains ran in Kirkland from 1891 through 2007, operated by the Northern Pacific Railway which merged into Burlington Northern in 1970. Don's photos included the Kirkland RR station, bridges, trains, and wrecks. The possibility of placing historical markers on the trail is being explored.
 
Kari Page presented a slide show on the Cross Kirkland Corridor, the new trail which has been built on the old rail bed. The "interim trail" with a compacted fine gravel surface, rebuilt bridges, fencing of dangerous and sensitive areas, signage, access points and trash cans, has been finished, and is open to the public. The police will be patrolling the trail using two electric UTVs (Utility Terrain Vehicles) that were purchased with grant money. Some exciting news is that Bellevue is considering extending the trail southward into that city as far as NE 4th St.
 
Katie Cava of the Kirkland Parks Dept. told us about the Green Kirkland Partnership, which seeks volunteers to rid Kirkland parks of invasive species and to restore native plants. In 2014 2365 volunteers spend 8900 hours working on this effort. There are 26 Green Kirkland Stewards who have been trained to lead volunteer efforts. There will be an open house at Heritage Hall on March 24 to get community feedback on the 20 year plan which is in development. In addition, a Green Steward Orientation will be held May 9, 2015 10-2 PM at McAuliffe Park.
 
Don Winters mentioned that the "Hector's Project" is undergoing some changes. One floor of parking in the building to be built behind Hector's will be moved underground and replaced with a floor of office space. Several other relatively minor changes will be made. A new timeline would see the project being finished by the end of 2016 or early 2017.
 
The Potala Village lawsuits are over and the project will be limited to 59 units. The project is in Design Review.
 
Our next meeting will be May 18, 2015 7PM at Heritage Hall, 203 Market. St.
 

​Don Winters called the meeting to order. We had a turnout of about 40 members. Melinda O'Rourke again brought delicious cookies she baked at home. City Council Members Dave Asher and Shelley Kloba were in attendance. 
Greg Arms of Milestone Northwest gave us an informative presentation on his project "The Walk", whish is located at 314 7th Ave. S. There will be 20 detached 3 story homes, each with 4 or 5 bedrooms and tentatively priced from $850 - $950,000. The units will include 2 car garages and will be 2600-2900 sq ft in size. Construction has started and the project should be finished by Sept, 2016. The project will include 8 guest parking spots. Greg mentioned that he may want to reroute the walkway to the Lakeview school yard that currently meanders through the Moss Bay Vista condo property. Greg can be contacted at 206-817-4192 or [email protected]
 
Bill Pollard of Talon Private Capital gave us more details (in addition to what we learned at our last meeting) on the proposed redevelopment of Park Place. Talon hopes to start the project in 2016 after design and review by the DRB. Construction is expected to last 3-5 years. Phase 1 of the project will be the construction of a new QFC with multi-family housing above. Talon has provided a Park Place FAQ, with very detailed information on this project. At the Jan 29 Planning Commission meeting, Talon will make recommendations to the City Council on the zoning text changes that they are requesting which include:
    * Increase allowed residential square footage from 10% of total gross floor area to 30%.
    * Include a 10% affordable housing requirement if residential percentage is increased.
    * Allow one drive through facility for a bank or related financial service.
    * Increase the movie theater incentive from 10% to 20% of required retail square footage
There are links on the Planning Commission web page to site plans and other info on this project.
 
Kari Page briefed us on the Cross Kirkland Corridor, which is set for a soft opening "12th Man Party" on Jan. 31, and a grand opening in April. Flashing beacon crosswalks, school connections, fencing and a compacted crushed rock surface are all in place. The Google segment will be closed until June, 2015, but a detour is in place.
 
Kari covered the Neighborhood Safety Program. Moss Bay decided on two projects to submit -- Stairs to the street from the CKC to NE 68th St., and new sidewalk, crosswalk and other improvements on the north side of Kirkland Ave. just east of 6th St. S. Our application for these possible projects is in progress.
 
We can apply for $3,135 in Matching Grants for the City for a use of our choice. Support for Kirkland's 4th of July celebration, or possible use for improved neighborhood communications were the ideas approved by those attending. We would need to apply by Jan 31, 2015.
 
Jeanne Large of the newly formed "Solarize Kirkland" (chapter of Solarize Washington) organization, told us how the group helps private citizens, companies, and public buildings to negotiate the purchase and installation solar panels. The City can install public solar panels and citizens can invest in them, getting money back in their electric bills.
 
Bea Nahon, our rep to and co-chair of the Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods (KAN) gave the following report:
 
· KAN meets on the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7PM at City Hall in the Peter Kirk room. All are welcome to attend and it’s a great way to learn what is going on in all neighborhoods and in the City.

· There is interest by the 4 neighborhoods that adjoin the Houghton Neighborhood Business District (intersection of NE 70th and 108th Ave NE). The Central Houghton Neighborhood Association has invited our neighborhood, Everest and Lakeview to meet with them so that we can all discuss common goals, issues and vision for this important area. The first meeting will be on Wednesday 4/1/15 at 7PM at Fire Station 22 on 108th Ave NE and in future “even” months.

· The Totem Lake Mall may actually be about to be sold to a developer! The purchaser is Centercal which proposes to develop it with retail, office and housing. Representatives from Centercal will be at KAN at its next meeting (2/11/15) so please come to learn more.

· As part of the Kirkland 2035 process, all Neighborhood Plans are having an interim update. Ours was the first to go before the Planning Commission and thus far, there are no changes to the current draft. It will next go to a Public Hearing at the Planning Commission in a few months, and then to City Council. Thank you to everyone in our Neighborhood who has participated in this process and to City Planning Supervisor Jeremy McMahan who is our assigned staff for this project.

· We hope to know more in the near future about Designated Urban Centers and how our downtown core might qualify. This could lead to more funding for things like roads and other infrastructure. Totem Lake has this designation already as do some other locations in King County.

· The City Council is looking at preliminary options for Downtown parking and had an initial report presented to it in early January. A stakeholder input process is the next step and then it will be back to Council later this year for further consideration.

· KAN has organized a Communications Workshop, led by Karen Story from the Highlands Neighborhood. The workshop will be on January 29 at 7PM at City Hall. Don, Aimee and Bea will attend and all are welcome to join us.

· Mayor Walen and City Manager Triplett will present the State of the City for neighborhoods on February 25 at 7PM at City Hall and we encourage all to attend.
 
Don Winters reported on a couple of projects. The "Wells Fargo" mixed use project on Central Way is still in the planning stages as Polygon Development and the bank work out the details. Potala Village is again in limbo awaiting a State Supreme Court decision on the number of units that will be allowed.
 
Our next meeting will be March 16, 2015 7PM at Heritage Hall, 203 Market. St.