Neighbors:
​
Did you know that the Eastside Rail Corridor (ERC) runs more than 25 miles through King County? The former railway turned multi-purpose corridor connects the cities of Renton, Bellevue, Kirkland, Woodinville, and Redmond. To raise awareness about the corridor and celebrate its multi-purpose vision (trail, high capacity transit, and utility uses), we are beginning a naming and branding effort. Don’t worry, the Cross Kirkland Corridor and Redmond Central Connector names won’t change- we’re only considering renaming the Eastside Rail Corridor as a whole.  We want to hear from you! Please take a few moments to share your insights on the ERC.
 
Start this quick survey by clicking on this link
https://www.research.net/r/ERCBranding
 

The agenda for the April 10, 2018  CHNA meeting is provided below. We will have Jennifer Matison, the City's Animal control officer, at the meeting to present the city's new animal control services program and responsibilities. David Wolbrecht, the City's Neighborhood Services Coordinator, will update us on the Housing Strategy plan, City Council Communications/Engagement programs with the community, and other citywide neighborhood topics. We also will present the status of the Neighborhood Safety projects, Rapid Flashing Beacons, and other upcoming events, such as the planning for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the merger of Houghton with the City of Kirkland. We also will discuss the need for new Board members for the CHNA. Please let us know if you are interested in being part of our Board, we would appreciate hearing from you and getting your input to help guide the future of the association. It doesn't take much time and you can learn a lot by being engaged in your neighborhood association. 

If you have any comments on the agenda or ideas for future topics, please email us at:
​​centralhoughton@gmail.com

At it's next meeting on Tuesday December 12, the Kirkland City Council is scheduled to review and take final action on  ordinances related to changes for the Houghton Everest Neighborhood Center (HENC). The ordinances will amend the Central Houghton Neighborhood Plan and Everest Neighborhood Plan (which are part of the City's Comprehensive Plan) for the areas covering the HENC commercial district at the intersection of NE 68th Street with 6th Street S/108th Avenue NE. In addition, the ordinances will revise the zoning for the neighborhood center. This is the culmination of over 18 months of meetings on the HENC amendments. The staff packets for City Council meetings are usually available the Friday afternoon before the meeting. The City Council agendas can be found here.

The following provides an overview of the revisions for the Neighborhood Plans and associated zoning. It also summarizes options for property owners/developers for increasing the height of buildings in some locations. You can write to the Council to share your thoughts on the proposals and ordinances. You also can attend the meeting and speak during items from the audience. Comments during the items from the audience portion of the City Council meeting are limited to three speakers in support and three people against the subject topics. If you want to speak during that part of the meeting, get there early to sign up.

Under the base Plan and zoning, the existing maximum building height of 30-feet would be maintained throughout the HENC. Under the base  30-foot height limit, the Neighborhood Plans and zoning would be revised to require projects in the core area (called HENC1, including the Metropolitan Market, Menchie's, and PCC sites, as well as the offices adjacent to the Cross Kirkland Corridor- see area 1 in below graphic ) to go through the City's Design Review process. The revised zoning also would limit the amount of office space in a development and would also require wider sidewalks and improved connections to the Cross Kirkland Corridor.

Developments in the core HENC1 area could increase their building height to 35-feet (which would allow three stories) if certain conditions are met. Those conditions include requirements for a 20,000 square foot grocery, hardware, or drug store to be part of the development. In addition, minimum areas for public open space/gathering places and green building standards would need to be met.  Residential densities would be capped at 48 units per acre, with 10 percent of the units meeting the City's affordable housing criteria. The third story would need to be stepped-back from the second story.

At it's November 21 meeting, the Council directed staff to include amendments that would allow two additional stories on the properties north of NE 68th Street between 6th Street S and The Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC).  The following conditions would need to be met In order to obtain the additional two stories:

• The additional two stories are only authorized by a legislative Council-approved Master Plan, which the Council may approve or deny.
• The Master Plan must include providing a southbound right turn lane from 6th Street S to NE 68th Street. The turn lane must be built per approved Kirkland Public Works Department plans.
• The Master Plan must consolidate the property on the northwest corner of NE 68th Street and 6th Street S and property or properties west of the corner property. (This would include the area outlined in white below, as well as the existing offices between the area in the white boundary and the CKC.)
• The Master Plan must comply with all proposed regulations that apply to the three story, 35 foot height option except for the 48/unit per acre density limit.
• The Master Plan must include a circulation plan and a driveway consolidation plan for the Everest portion of the Houghton Everest Business District north of NE 68th Street.

Crossing Kirkland - September 9, 2017
​Great turnout for our first year. Thanks to everyone who came, all of our volunteers, and our sponsors. Hope you all had as much fun as we did! And if you'd like to be a part of next year's event let us know.