Welcome to spring!
 
The notes from our March 9, 2021 meeting of the Central Houghton Neighborhood Association are provided below. The notes include links to several project and program web sites related to the meeting topics.
 
In addition, we wanted to share a couple of information items that came out after our March 9 meeting. These include a City survey on the ways the City shares information with the community. The second item provides information on actions taken by the Houghton Community Council, related to a November vote on continuing the Community Council.
 
Thank you. if you have any questions or comments, please email us at centralhoughton@gmail.com
 
 
Larry Toedtli, President
Central Houghton Neighborhood Association
 
 
 
City Survey
 
We Want to Hear From You!​
We need your help in becoming a more transparent government! The City of Kirkland is creating new ways to share information with the community about how the City as an organization is performing. Please take our survey here.
This is part of a larger effort of ensuring the safety and respect of Black people and examining and dismantling structural racism in Kirkland. For more information on that effort, please visit the City’s website.
Esta es una encuesta para saber cómo debería comunicarse la ciudad de Kirkland con la comunidad en cuanto a la seguridad pública, recursos humanos y servicios humanos. Si quiere esta información traducida, mande un correo electrónico a TitleVICoordinator@kirklandwa.gov o llame al 425-587-3831.

本问卷调查旨在研究柯克兰市应如何就公共安全、人力资源和公众服务等事宜与社区民众进行沟通。如需该信息的翻译版本，请发送电子邮件至 TitleVICoordinator@kirklandwa.gov 或致电 425-587-3831。

В этом опросе спрашивается о том, как властям City of Kirkland стоит доносить до жителей информацию об общественной безопасности, социальном обслуживании и обеспечении. Если вы хотите получить перевод этой информации, напишите по адресу электронной почты TitleVICoordinator@kirklandwa.gov или позвоните по номеру 425-587-3831.
 
 
Houghton Community Council Action
 
At the March 22 meeting of the Houghton Community Council (HCC), the HCC approved Resolution 2021-3 relating to the continuance of the Houghton Community Council. 
Approval of the Resolution will put the continuance of the Community Council for four more years (starting January 1, 2022) to a vote of the people that reside within the HCC boundaries.
Along with the vote on whether to continue or not continue the Houghton Community Council, the November ballot will include elections for seven Houghton Community Councilmember positions who will serve for the four year term if the continuance of the HCC is approved by voters. If you are a resident within the HCC boundaries (see map) you can file to run for one of these Council positions. King County has produced an elections Manual with the necessary information on filing, including dates and forms. The Manual can be accessed here.
 
More information on the Houghton Community Council can be found on the City of Kirkland web site - Houghton Community Council.
 
 
 
 

​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

The notes from our November 10 virtual meeting are attached. We had some really good discussions.
 In addition, the city wants the neighborhood associations to pass along the following.
 
Have a Happy and Safe Thanksgiving.
 
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
​

As some of you may know, the City of Kirkland has suspended/cancelled all meetings and events at City facilities until the end of March (except the March 17 City Council meeting). The City hopes this will help reduce the spread of the coronavirus in Kirkland. City personnel is all departments are supporting the response to Covid-19. City staff support all of the various meetings, including our neighborhood meeting. Cancelling the meetings will allow the City to prioritize these staff resources to the Covid-19 response and other work.
 
Therefore, the Central Houghton Neighborhood Association meeting scheduled for March 10 is Cancelled.  We have tentatively rescheduled our meeting to April 14, pending the availability of facilities and direction from the City and health authorities.

In the meantime, the following links can provide you information on current and upcoming topics.

• Neighborhood Safety Program Crosswalk Improvement at Phyllis Needy Park - City Council may address funding for the flashing crosswalk lights at their March 17 meeting.
• Safer Routes to Schools, including ongoing studies near the International Community School  --  https://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/CMO/Neighborhood_Services/Safer_Routes_to_School_Action_Plans.htm
• The update of the City's Active Transportation Plan covering improving walking and bicycling within the City  --   https://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/Public_Works/Transportation_and_Traffic/Active_Transportation_Plan.htm
• Upcoming (starting March 21) Metro Route Changes affecting Central Houghton  https://kingcounty.gov/depts/transportation/metro/schedules-maps/service-change/eastside.aspx
  
  
• AND - the 108th Avenue NE Sewer and Water Main Replacement Project which will affect all of us in Central Houghton to some degree over the next 6 to 12 months.
  http://www.kirklandwa.gov/depart/Public_Works/Construction_Projects/108th_Avenue_Northeast_water_and_sewer_upgrade.htm 

Come listen and ask questions to get informed and involved.

​A member of the Police Department will also be at the meeting to update us on current police department activities and to answer questions from he audience.

We also will provide updates on ongoing City Council, Planning Commission activities and CHNA programs.

Cookies and cider will be served!!!

As always, please let us know if you have potential topics for future meetings or would like to volunteer for the Board or other CHNA/City program.

Looking forward to seeing you next week.

Larry Toedtli, President
Central Houghton Neighborhood Association

The January 14 meeting of the Central Houghton Neighborhood Association (CHNA) was rescheduled to February 11 due to inclement weather. The notes from the meeting are attached (or you can download them from the link below).

Our next meeting is scheduled for Tuesday March 10, starting at 7:00 PM. If you have ideas for meeting topics, or any other comments or questions, please email us at - centralhoughton@gmail.com.
 
We have a couple of board positions open - Vice President and Treasurer. These positions allow you to help CHNA support and promote our neighborhood. These positions do not require much time but would help broaden the discussion and perspectives of the CHNA leadership team.

Following the February 11 meeting, the City's Planning Commission forwarded its recommendations on code changes related to Missing Middle Housing and Accessory Dwelling Units to the City Council. The City Council is scheduled to take action on these code changes at its March 3 meeting. The City Council packet can be found here:
https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Assets/City+Council/Council+Packets/030320/9c_Business.pdf

The City Council is also continuing to review and discuss various elements of the proposed changes to the Tree Code (Chapter 95 of the Zoning Code). These changes will affect properties with and without development. The latest City Council packet on the Tree Code was for their February 18 meeting - https://www.kirklandwa.gov/Assets/City+Council/Council+Packets/021820/9c(1)_Business.pdf
The City Council is currently scheduled to continue their discussion at their March 17, April 7, and April 21 meetings. if interested in this topic you can access the Council packets the Friday before each of these meetings from the City Council's web page.

In addition to the meeting notes, the following files include meeting materials covering the Wireless 5G concerns and upcoming Census and Census Jobs.

Please let us know if you have any comments or ideas for future meetings, or if you are interested in becoming a Board member or assist on specific projects or programs.  

Thank you and hope to see you on March 10 where we will be finding out more about the 108th Avenue NE sewer and water main replacement project that is about to get started and could extend into spring 2021.

Larry Toedtli, President
Central Houghton Neighborhood Association 

​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