The agenda for the November 14 CHNA meeting is provided below. In addition to topics related to the Houghton Everest Neighborhood Center and 6th Street Corridor study, We will have a presentation and discussion with a representative from Northwest University on their proposed Master Plan.

​The CHNA Board also is proposing revisions to the Bylaws, which can be accessed in the files below. The files include a summary of the proposed changes which basically revise the Bylaws into how the organization currently operates (without dues and the structure for officers).  The current Bylaws require changes to the Bylaws to be approved by the membership (i.e. those in attendance at the meeting). The proposed revisions will allow 3/4 majority of the Board to revise the Bylaws.

​On November 7 residents of Houghton will be asked to weigh-in on several issues and candidates, including Proposition 1 regarding the continued existence of the Houghton Community Council (HCC). I urge Houghton residents to vote “Yes” for the continuation of this community municipal corporation.

The Houghton Community Council was formed in 1968 when the cities of Kirkland and Houghton merged. A key aspect of the merger was that the HCC would have veto power over land use regulations within the boundaries of the former city of Houghton. Every four years, Houghton residents vote whether the HCC should continue to exist.

Over the last 20 years, my wife and I have been involved in various aspects of our community including the Lakeview Elementary School PTSA and the Central Houghton Neighborhood Association. During those years, the HCC board members have added value and insight into land use decisions made by the Kirkland City Council. 

In my role as a former president and current role as vice president of the Central Houghton Neighborhood Association, I know the HCC has been in tune with and sensitive to the opinions and desires expressed by Houghton residents in open forums. The HCC board has helped shape our community into the very desirable place it is to live today through thoughtful deliberation and keen insights.

For these reasons, I urge Houghton residents to vote Yes for Proposition No. 1 for the continuation of the Houghton Community Council. 

Brian Staples

The notes from the October 10 2017 Central Houghton Neighborhood Meeting are available below.
If you have any questions or comments, please contact us at:
centralhoughton@gmail.com

​Thanks and please VOTE

​ 

Thanks to so many people participating in the Houghton Everest Neighborhood Center Comprehensive Plan and Zoning update process. The following summarizes what has happened since the March 23 public hearing at which several hundred attended and more than 40 people spoke and provided written comments to the City’s Planning Commission (PC) and Houghton Community Council (HCC). 

The public hearing was just the start of the discussions on what will ultimately be adopted by the City Council. The following summarizes the meetings that have be held, where the PC and HCC have landed on major topics, and the next steps. 

You still have opportunities to provide input to the City Council as it takes up the discussion on June 6. More direction on that is provided below.

Since the March 23rd meeting, the HCC and PC have discussed and deliberated on recommendations for the HENC Comprehensive Plan amendments and associated changes to the City zoning code at several meetings:
•    HCC – March 27 
•    PC – April 13 
•    HCC – April 24
•    PC – May 11
•    HCC – May 15
•    PC – May 25
In addition, the City’s Design Review Board (DRB) met Monday May 22 to discuss staff’s proposed Design Guidelines for the HENC, as well as input from the HCC and PC.

The packets and information from all the previous PC and HCC meetings can be found at the following webpages:

Current Recommendations for HENC Plan Amendments and Zoning
Following the public input and several rounds of deliberations, the PC and HCC have agreed on many of the key items for the HENC. However, there are a few items where the HCC and PC do not fully agree. Because the HCC has the authority to potentially veto the Plan and zoning changes for the Houghton area (south of NE 68th Street) the PC and HCC have gone back and forth to resolve any differences. The HCC has identified one policy/code change that they indicated they would strongly consider vetoing the Plan/zoning for. They also identified several other items that they want passed on to the City Council for consideration, should the PC not support. These agreements and disagreements for the major items for the Plan and zoning are summarized in the table at the end of this post. The table references the three subareas of the HENC. These are described and shown below.

How Can You Add to the Discussion with the City Council?
The City Council will receive the recommendations of the PC and HCC at a Study Session at its June 6 meeting. The Study Session is scheduled to start at 6:00 pm, with the regular meeting starting at 7:30 pm. You can provide input to the City Council up to the date they take final action to approve the Plan amendments and associated zoning changes. We do not know when the City Council will take action on the HENC, so the sooner you get your comments in, the better.
Your input to the City Council should focus on the proposed Plan and zoning changes because that is what they will be addressing in their meetings. You should let the City Council know what PC and HCC recommendations you support and which ones you don’t. It’s always good to provide at least a brief reason as to why you support or disagree with the PC and/or HCC recommendations. 

Your letter or email should reference the project name and number:

Houghton Everest Neighborhood Center, Permit Number CAM16-0274

​The following provides the City Council’s email addresses. You should also copy Angela Ruggeri, Senior Planner. If you want to you also can copy the Planning Commission and Houghton Community Council.

• City Council: citycouncil@kirklandwa.gov
• Angela Ruggeri: aruggeri@kirklandwa.gov
• Planning Commission: planningInfo@kirklandwa.gov
• Houghton Community Council: HoughtonCouncil@kirklandwa.gov

Please contact us at centralhoughton@gmail.com if you have any questions about the current HENC recommendations, City Council review process, or about submitting comments to the Council.

Houghton Everest Neighborhood Center Zoning Districts

​•    HENC 1 – this includes the core commercial area of the HENC, including the Metropolitan Market/Bartell Drug site, Starbucks, Bank of America, PCC site, Shamiana, Menchie’s, Teriyaki Madness, and the offices north of NE 68th Street and east of the Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC).

•    HENC 2 – covers the existing apartments between the CKC and 
106th Avenue NE. The HENC 2 site originally included two additional parcels south of the boundary shown in the graphic. These two properties (shown in light green) are owned by the City of Kirkland and were deleted from the HENC 2 zone during the course of the PC/HCC review.

•    HENC 3 – includes properties immediately east of 6th Street S/108th Avenue NE. The existing 7/11, dry cleaners, and Shell service station are part of HENC 3. The parcel immediately east of the 7/11 and dry cleaners is also included in HENC 3.

•    Other areas – the existing PR 3.6 zone area including the Northwest University office building and other offices east of the Shell station are part of the planning study area but are not included in the special zoning districts. 

The Public Hearing packet is up on the City of Kirkland website at: 

http://www.kirklandwa.gov/…/…/Boards_and_Commissions/HCC.htm

Please look through and join us at the Public Hearing this Thursday March 23 at City Hall. Open House from 6-7. Public Hearing starts at 7pm in City Council Chambers.

Below are the 5 documents for the March 23rd meeting: