​To All-
 
The notes from the January 12 Central Houghton Neighborhood Association (CHNA) meeting are attached below. We covered several timely topics at the meeting.
The notes include links to several websites about current projects, such as the Tech City Bowl and NE 85th Station Area Plan.
 
In addition to the meeting notes, we want to alert you to two projects where you can provide input on major current planning and development projects.
 
NE 85th Street Station Area Plan
The City of Kirkland is studying potential changes to the land use designations and zoning along the NE 85th Street corridor. This has the potential to greatly change the heights of buildings and the intensity and type of allowed development. The city has issued a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS). Comments on the project and DEIS can be made through February 19. The DEIS and instructions for submitting comments can be found on the City's project webpage. NE 85th Station Area Plan
 
 
Northeast King County Recycling & Transfer Station



King County is leading a site selection process for the new Northeast King County Recycling & Transfer Station. The results of this project will either close and relocate the existing Houghton Transfer Station, or result in revising/upgrading the existing site on NE 60th Street. Over the last several months, King County has considered a long list of potential sites for the new station. This winter, they narrowed the list to four sites. These potential sites will be evaluated using community criteria developed by an Siting Advisory Group and other technical measures.
 
They are asking for community input and knowledge on each of the four sites. Input on what is most important to the community is also being solicited. Community members are able to view each site and share their thoughts by taking a short survey, open through February 9. 
King County Project web page  - https://kingcounty.gov/depts/dnrp/solid-waste/facilities/northeast.aspx
 
Please email us at centralhoughton@gmail.com with any questions, comments, and ideas for future meeting topics.
 
Larry Toedtli, President
Central Houghton Neighborhood Association

​CHNA held its September 8 meeting virtually using the Zoom platform. We had several speakers and presentations.

The notes from the meetings are attached. 
 
If you have any questions, comments, or ideas for future meeting topics, please contact us at centralhoughton@gmail.com
 
We also have openings on our Board that we would love to get filled to help generate ideas on how CHNA can best serve our neighborhood and overall City.
 
Our next meeting will be held virtually at 7:00 PM on Tuesday November 10. Hope to see you then.
 
Larry Toedtli, President
Central Houghton Neighborhood Association

 I hope you all had an enjoyable summer, even with the Covid-19 pandemic.
City facilities remain closed, therefore we will be hosting a virtual meeting using Zoom.

The meeting agenda is provided below and also can be downloaded.
​
We have several visitors/presentations on the agenda, covering a range of topics:

• Police Lt. Brouelette
• 108th Avenue NE Water and Sewer Main Replacement
• Northwest University 
• Tech City Bowling Alley Redevelopment process
• City of Kirkland Fire and Emergency Medical Services Ballot Measure

In addition, we will provide information on upcoming City Council, Houghton Community Council, and Planning Commission topics.

Please note that the City Council is scheduled to take action on the Safer Routes to Schools program at its virtual meeting tonight  - https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Assets/City+Council/Council+Packets/090120/9b_Business.pdf
Please forward this email and agenda to others that may be interested in these topics.

Thanks and hope to "see" you next Tuesday.

Larry Toedtli, President
Central Houghton Neighborhood Association
centralhoughton@gmail.com


The Zoom meeting link and passcode are provided as follows:
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84930777067?pwd=WkhIUjBHeWRqTE53VitKWEk3QW52dz09

Meeting ID: 849 3077 7067
Passcode: 979166
One tap mobile
+12532158782,,84930777067#,,,,,,0#,,979166# US (Tacoma)
+16699006833,,84930777067#,,,,,,0#,,979166# US (San Jose)
Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kew2BNx7X8
​

​The agenda for the Central Houghton Neighborhood Associations November 12 (Tuesday) meeting is attached. We will be discussing CHNA's project options for the 2020 Neighborhood Safety Program. Please come and share your ideas on possible projects that can improve transportation safety in our community.
 
We also will be discussing the status of the City's update of the Tree Code and City Council action on the Northwest University Master Plan. These two topics are subject to meetings this week, as follows.
 
Tree Code Public Hearing - Tuesday November 5 (City Council chambers  7:00 PM)

• Agenda - https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Assets/Planning/Planning+PDFs/Agendas/Planning_Commission/Agenda+PC+$!26+HCC+11052019.pdf  
• Meeting packet links -

                      https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Assets/Planning/Planning+PDFs/Planning+Commission/Zoning+Code+Amendments+for+KZC+Chapter+95+-+CAM18-00408_Part1.pdf  
                      https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Assets/Planning/Planning+PDFs/Planning+Commission/Zoning+Code+Amendments+for+KZC+Chapter+95+-+CAM18-00408_Part2.pdf
                      https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Assets/Planning/Planning+PDFs/Planning+Commission/Zoning+Code+Amendments+for+KZC+Chapter+95+-+CAM18-00408_Part3.pdf

Northwest University Master Plan City Council Action - Wednesday November 6 (City Council chambers 7:30 PM)

• Agenda -  https://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/council/Meetings/Agendas/Agenda_11-06-2019.htm
• Northwest University is item 10.c on the agenda -  https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Assets/City+Council/Council+Packets/110619/10c_Business.pdf

 
 
As always, please let us know if you have topics you would like us to discuss on this or future agendas.
 
Looking forward to seeing you
 
Larry Toedtli, President
Central Houghton Neighborhood Association

The Hearing Examiner issued her recommendations on the Northwest University Master Plan.  It can be downloaded below.
​
The Hearing Examiner concurred with the August 15, 2019 recommendations from the Houghton Community Council which revised several of the staff conditions included in the May 2019 staff report.

More background on the Master Plan can be found on the City's web page for the project:
https://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/planning/Development_Info/projects/Northwest_University_Master_Plan_Zoning_Permit.htm

The City of Kirkland has issued the agenda and meeting packet for the continuance of the Northwest University Master Plan. The joint hearing with the City's Hearing Examiner and Houghton Community Council will be continued on Thursday August 15 at 7:00 PM. The hearing will be held in the City Council Chambers starting at 7:00 PM.

The meeting agenda and packet are attached (they are not yet posted to the city's web page for the project).  Oral testimony will not be taken at the hearing; however, written testimony and comments can still be submitted in advance of the hearing. The comments should be addressed to:

Tony Leavitt, Senior Planner, 425-587-3253
tleavitt@kirklandwa.gov  
 
You will need to include the file number in the subject line - ZON16-02063
 
If you have any questions please contact us at centralhoughton@gmail.com

 

​Hope you are all having a fabulous holiday.

​The Central Houghton Neighborhood Association's (CHNA) next meeting will be Tuesday September 10 at 7:00. It will be held at Fire Station 22 -- 6602 108 Ave NE.
 
The following includes information on some ongoing and upcoming items which may be of interest to our membership before the next meeting.  
 
1. Tree Code Revisions: A primary purpose of the tree code is to define what trees must be retained and requirements for planting more trees with development. It also addresses how many trees a property owner can remove each year without development. The tree code also addresses a range of other items that may affect your property or other properties as part of development or landscaping, etc.

• Thursday July 11 @ 7:00 PM City Council Chambers -  The Kirkland Planning Commission will meet to start reviewing the first draft of the code changes. The meeting packet, including the code revisions, can be found at the following link.              https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Assets/Planning/Planning+PDFs/Planning+Commission/KZC+Chapter+95+Code+Amendments_PC+Packet_CAM18-00408_07112019.pdf  
• Monday July 22 @ 7:00 PM City Council Chambers - The Houghton Community Council will start their review of the initial draft code.
  
  

2. Northwest University Master Plan Hearing

• The joint Hearing Examiner and Houghton Community Council public hearing on Northwest University's proposed Master Plan was continued from June 11  to a date yet to be established.
• When a new date is established, the City will provide public notice. CHNA will send out an email when we have a date and time.
• Oral testimony on the Master Plan is closed.
• Written comments/testimony can still be made - send them to Tony Leavitt, Senior Planner -   tleavitt@kirklandwa.gov. Be sure to include the project file number in the subject line -   ZON16-02063 
  
  

3. Crossing Kirkland Event

• CHNA will be participating in the Crossing Kirkland event on Saturday September 7 on the Cross Kirkland Corridor. 
• We will be part of the station at the Google site
• We are currently gathering ideas and formulating a plan - if you have some thoughts, please share them with us
• If you would like to help in the planning or day of event activities (set-up, assisting at the station/booth, clean up) please let us know - the more the merrier and many hands makes light work

• You can simply reply to this email or send a separate email to centralhoughton@gmail.com
  
  

4. King County Metro South Kirkland Bus Route Changes

• Regular riders of Route 255 already are aware that the route no longer stops at the Montlake Station because of construction of the west segment of the SR 520 bridge corridor.
• You can no longer take the 255 and get off at Montlake to go to UW . Sound Transit will still be running ST 540 during peak hours and Sound Transit has added service to ST 542 (Redmond to University District). You can transfer at Evergreen Point Station to the 542 and it will take you into the Stadium/Link station area and through the University district
• End of August/early September 2019 – Montlake Triangle improvements are to be finished. Bus stops will be consolidated in front of UW Stadium and the Link Station. This should make for much easier and safer connections to and from Link. 
• March 2020 - route 255 will most likely be rerouted to terminate at UW/Husky stadium. You will need to transfer to Link Light Rail to continue to downtown Seattle.

• More information on these changes can be found on King County Metro's website

           - Find out more details about how routes would change, including new options for routes recommended for deletion, on Metro’s North Eastside Mobility Plan website.  
          - Information about the King County Council’s process, including where to direct comments, can be found on the Mobility & Environment Committee’s website.    



As always, please let us know if you have any questions or if you have ideas for future meeting topics.
 
Larry Toedtli, President
Central Houghton Neighborhood Association
centralhoughton@gmail.com