Moss Bay Meeting Notes - September 10, 2018

Tony Leavitt, Senior Planner with City of Kirkland provided information about two development projects near and in our neighborhood:

1. Rosehill mixed use project at the Petco/Outback site on NE 85th St.
   1. The developer is Madison Development. Currently the developer hasn’t been able to acquire the U-haul site, but the proposed development area does include half of the Costco site’s parking lot.
   2. 770 apartment units are planned in 4 buildings 4-5 stories tall, with ground floor retail. They will provide 10% affordable housing units per City requirements. 200,000 square feet of commercial space is planned, including a large health club, a drugstore and a grocery store.
   3. The project is designed in part to take advantage of the new Bus Rapid Transit being developed nearby NE 85th St.
   4. Next steps:
      1. The first design review board meeting was last week. October 15th will be the next design review board; it is expected to take to the end of 2018. There will be a traffic review to study impacts.
      2. The developer is proposing code amendments to allow rooftop amenities, and also to reduce lot line requirements.
2. 312 Central Project where Wendy’s is located:
   1. The project was approved in the design review in July.
   2. The four-story development will include about 70 apartment units, a 12,000 square foot Bartell drugstore and 5,500 square feet for restaurant space.
   3. Next steps:
      1. A code amendment was requested for rooftop amenities.
      2. If the design and approval process is successful, construction is likely to start in the spring or summer of 2019.
3. If you are interested in learning more about code amendments and potential rezoning, you can attend the Planning Commission meeting on September 13th. You can also learn more on the City’s Planning Commission site and on the Planning Department site.

Kurt Triplett, City Manager, delivered an informational presentation on the community safety ballot measure to be voted on during the November 2018 general election:

1. City staff is able to give us informational presentations but not direct residents in voting in favor or against the measure.
2. Planned growth in Kirkland is occurring at a faster pace than expected and revenues will be outpaced by costs and inflation beginning 2023. Services (including Parks) and programs will be cut unless additional budget is raised.
3. During the budgeting process, the City asks residents to take a survey to rate the priority of City services, and to rate how well the City performs those services. Emergency services rate at the top in both priority and satisfaction. There have been multiple outreach efforts to understand resident priorities and also what tax methods would be supported (soda tax, property tax, business tax, sales tax). A sales tax was the preferred choice.
4. Public safety concerns:
   1. One area that the City struggles to keep up with is organized shoplifting and property crimes, and public safety challenges with mental illness and suicide, drug addiction, homelessness and domestic violence.
   2. School safety is another area that residents have asked the City and School Board to address.
5. If passed, the measure would support:
   1. Half a resource officer in schools (the other half paid for by Lake WA School district).
   2. A ProAct police unit of 4 officers and 1 support staff position.
   3. Adding a mental health professional with a neighborhood resource officer.
   4. $100,000 for ongoing management of the Women and Family shelter in process.
   5. Education program of $100,000 per year on gun safety and to possibly help people acquire gun safes.
6. The measure would increase sales tax rate by 0.1 percent, which is the equivalent of $0.01 (one cent) per $10.

Bea Nahon shared an update:

1. Kirkland Urban developers will come to our November meeting to share an update on their timeline and tenants.
2. The Chief of Police will talk about the Community Safety Ballot measure at the next KAN (Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods) meeting, this Wednesday, 7 PM at City Hall if you would like her perspective.
3. There is a “pro” ballot measure organization called Safer Kirkland. We are not aware of an opposing organization.

Amanda Judd gave a Crossing Kirkland recap:

1. There were 6 stations along the corridor sponsored by different neighborhood associations. There were live music performances, food trucks, and activities for kids.
2. Moss Bay had station #1 next to Google, and it was the most attended. We averaged about 125 attendees every hour. A big shout out and thanks to Amanda for managing our neighborhood presence at this fun event!
3. Planning for the 2019 event will start in March. We will ask for help planning and volunteering. 

Neighborhood Safety Program:

1. As in past years, we can submit up to two projects that enhance safety within the Moss Bay neighborhood area. Projects must cost less than $50,000 each. Learn more at the Neighborhood Safety Program site.
2. Project ideas must be submitted to the Capital Improvements Projects tool by September 30th. In recent years, successfully funded projects have increased safety for large numbers of residents and either improved pedestrian/bike safety with measures to slow traffic or improve walkways. Adding/improving connection points to the Cross Kirkland Corridor have also been successful.
3. If you are interested in being our neighborhood’s representative for this process, email [email protected] for more information.

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