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Heritage Hall
Meeting called to order 7:00 pm City of Kirkland Surface Water Master Plan Update Scott Gonsar, City of Kirkland, Surface Water Utility Engineer, presented the following information about the City of Kirkland Surface Water Master Plan.
For more information contact City of Kirkland, Department of Public Works at 425-587-3800 Kirkland Sidewalk Bond Exploratory Committee Norm Storm, City of Kirkland Transportation Commission and chair of the Sidewalk Bond Exploratory Committee Ray Steiger, City of Kirkland, Interim Director of Public Works and Capital Improvements Manager The City is trying to gauge whether or not citizens are interested in moving forward on a $15 million Sidewalk Bond that would be put for a vote in February 2006. The estimated tax cost is $53/year for a $400,000 home over 20 years.
6th St S between the Old Court House @ 5th Pl S and Kirkland Way Please contact Ray Steiger or Daren Grilley, City of Kirkland Department of Public Works at 425-587-3800. Special Guest: Kirkland City Manager, Dave Ramsay Dave Ramsay took us for "a walk around town" Chaffey Building Project Allowable heights for this project depend on the first floor use. If the first floor is "superior retail" than 5 stories (or 55’) is allowed otherwise only 4 stories (or 45’) is permitted. There are a lot of questions about what constitutes superior retail. In all cases setbacks are required. Two options are currently before the Design Review Board. The Board has questions about both and will be discussing them at their April 21 meeting. If you have concerns about the Chaffey Building Project you are encouraged to attend meetings and write letters to the Design Review Board, City Hall, 123 Fifth Ave. Big White Ship A new breakwater is scheduled to begin construction on April 1, which would eliminate the need for the Big White Ship that is docked at the marina near Anthony’s Homeport at the end of 2nd Ave S. The Big White Ship will be removed before Oct ’05. Downtown parking The City is adding 65 extra parking spaces to downtown Kirkland. Reconfiguration of the parking lot at Marina Park is expected to add approximately 25 additional parking spaces and 40 on-street parking spaces will be added on Central Way. The City is also evaluating options for some type of parking structure. Kirkland Hardware site (near QFC) on Kirkland Way Microsoft has signed a long-term lease for the old Kirkland Hardware store. The building will be rehabbed and the parking lot reserved for employees. For more information see article in King County Journal 3-23-05: http://www.kingcountyjournal.com/sited/story/html/202043 Lake and Central Lessons Learned
A $400,000 donation was made to the Cascade Land Conservancy that must be matched with in kind funds or volunteer hours for removal of invasive ivy on trees in the City. A workshop on how to remove ivy will be held March 29 at City Hall. Totem Lake Mall
A major addition is in the works, which includes a 10-story bed tower and a state of the art emergency room and a transit center. Innovative Housing Check out the cottage housing development in North Rose Hill by Mark Twain at 128th Ave NE. Juanita Village Completion of the west side of the Juanita Village development is underway. There is no grocery store at this time. Annexation of Finn Hill, Juanita and Kingsgate 35,000 residents from Finn Hill, Juanita and Kingsgate would be added with annexation which would nearly double the size of Kirkland $3 million gap: The cost to support these neighborhoods with police, fire and other City services is approximately $3 million more than the potential tax revenue than they bring in. The City is looking for legislation to close the gap. Parks Juanita Beach master plan is in progress. Check out the City’s website for more information: http://www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/depart/parks/juanitabeach_masterplan.htm Waverly Park is in the 1st stage with construction expected to begin this summer on improvements such as irrigation and landscaping and eventually an historic garden. Save the Animals $200,000 is needed to keep 3 Animal Statues in Kirkland – the rabbits, the deer and the bears Contributions collected so far amount to $140,000 which is enough to save 2 of them Deadline for contributions is June/July 2005 Contact the City of Kirkland for details Budget We are officially out of recession with revenues back to 2000 levels Sales tax revenue is up 6-7% However costs are growing particularly with staffing needs in the fire and police departments There is no specific tax strategy to meet the shortfalls at this time Vacant City Council Seat Nona Ganz was appointed to fill Tom Dillon’s seat on the Council Items from the audience Do we have plans for new retail? We have hopes particularly at Totem Lake Mall. There is intense competition for quality retail establishments in the surrounding area. The high-end retailers have what’s called a "radius clause" which prohibits the same type of store from opening another shop within 10 or 15 miles. Unfortunately Bellevue Square is within the boundaries of most radius clauses and prevents Kirkland from having similar stores high-end retail. What’s happening with regard to a traffic light at Lake and Market? Nothing at this time but a light has been proposed. What is the compulsion to annex our neighbors to the north? Public policy. The Kirkland Hotel Project presented by Don Holt Don Holt, part owner of the old wine shop on the corner of 3rd St and Kirkland Way presented his plans for a hotel on the site. Don also owns Kirkland Square (Blockbuster Video and Subway site) and he has worked in Kirkland since 1991. When he was trying to decide what to do with the property on 3rd and Kirkland he asked Kirkland residents what is missing downtown? The answer is a hotel. Don says he has building permits in hand but has had a few struggles securing financing and now is awaiting an appraisal which should be ready in a few weeks. The hotel is expected to be less expensive than the Woodmark and will include a parking structure, which he hopes to make available to the public for a minimal fee of about $1/hour. The parking garage will have valet parking and access will be from the alley. Features of the hotel:
Old Safeway site: retail/condominium project reduced from 4 stories to 3 and from 160 to 120 units. Construction has begun. 75 Kirkland Way site – mixed use /condo: All of the units have been presold. Pace site – 7th Ave S – 2 blocks east of State St
Kari Page, City of Kirkland Neighborhood Services Coordinator Kari presented a slide show which included the projects Moss Bay voted on three years ago – steps in David Brink Park that connect the Lake St sidewalk on the north end to the sidewalk below along the waterfront and flower pots that decorate downtown. Send in your ideas for projects:
Revision of the Bylaws were accepted with no objections Next Meeting May 16, 2005 (Third Monday of odd months) Heritage Hall 7-9 pm Submit topics for next meeting to the board prior to May 5. Board meets 1st Thurs odd months Comments are closed.
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