​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

​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
 

Transit Service Changes Proposed for Kirkland!
King County Metro Transit is asking the communities of Bothell, Kirkland, Kenmore, Woodinville, and Redmond for input on proposed changes to north Eastside transit service and bus routes. The proposed changes are design to meet the changing needs of the region.
The changes affect the following areas:
North Eastside service area: Bothell, Kenmore, Kirkland, Redmond, and Woodinville
Routes affected: 234, 235, 236, 238, 243, 244, 248, 255, 277, 930, ST 540, ST 541, ST 545 
There are two ways to share your input:
1) Take the survey (http://www.kingcounty.gov/metro/north-eastside by Nov. 13 2018) 
2) Attend a community meeting in Kirkland:
• Nov. 5, 6–8pm, Kingsgate Library in Kirkland, Meeting Room, 12315 NE 143rd Street
• Nov. 7, 6–8pm, Kirkland City Hall, Peter Kirk Room, 123 5th Avenue

KINGCOUNTY.GOV
North Eastside Mobility - Programs & Projects - King County Metro Transit - King County
Goals: Expand transit service and improve mobility in the north Eastside, and strengthen connections to important destinations
​

​KIRKLAND TRANSIT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN - LEARN AND PARTICIPATE
Explore this ONLINE OPEN HOUSE and SHARE YOUR FEEDBACK  about improving transit service in Kirkland.   Open online through June 11.
https://ktip.participate.online/ 
 
This is a very informative tool to improve transit in Kirkland.  Input gathered through this online open house will be used to guide transit improvement priorities in Kirkland and to identify specific projects to enhance transit service.

Today, Kirkland’s over 84,000 residents are served by several transit routes connecting the city to various Eastside destinations and Seattle. Similar to other areas in the region, Kirkland is becoming a major employment center that attracts transit trips, and transit frequency is increasing to meet the growing demand.

In response to increased growth, the City of Kirkland is working to improve transit service for residents through the Kirkland Transit Implementation Plan (KTIP). In 2015, the City worked closely with stakeholders and the community to adopt the Transportation Master Plan. This plan helped to prioritize transportation projects through 2035, including the KTIP. The City is now working to develop the KTIP as a way to build upon the goals of the Transportation Master Plan and improve transit throughout the City. The KTIP will serve as a tool to help get Kirkland residents where they want to go in the fastest and most convenient way.

Transit Implementation Plan Open House
Tuesday, November 14
5:30 to 7:30 PM
Heritage Hall, 203 Market St, Kirkland, WA 98033
 
About this Meeting
The City of Kirkland is working to develop a Transit Implementation Plan. The plan will identify possible transit improvements in key areas of the city.
 
A key part of this plan is hearing from Kirkland residents about priorities for transit investments. One of the big ways that we’re doing this is through the Open House.
 
We could really use your help in spreading the word about this meeting to your neighborhood lists and contacts. The City will also be sending this out via social media and our weekly email newsletter, so please share our posts or forward the e-newsletters when you see them.
 
Residents can come to the open house to:

• Learn about the Kirkland Transit Implementation Plan and project process
• Learn about potential transit investment opportunities
• Share thoughts on priorities for transit investments
• Speak with the project team

You can learn more about how this plan fits into the larger Transportation Master Plan by visiting www.kirklandwa.gov/KTIP. Also, feel free to contact City Planner Stephen Padua at 425-587-3871 or SPadua@kirklandwa.gov if you have further questions.

Upcoming Dates
No regular November CHNA meeting. Instead please attend the Houghton Everest Neighborhood Center (HENC) and 6th St Study Meeting on Wed, Nov 2nd, 6:00 PM Open House, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Working Session (at Northwest University, 5520 108th Avenue NE, HSC 231 Building (#18 on map).
 
Topics covered in October meeting:

• Neighborhood Safety Program
• ICS & Neighbors
• Houghton Everest Neighborhood Center (HENC) & 6th St Study
• Northwest University Master Plan

 
NOST3 - We ran out of time during the meeting but wanted to pass along the following from Rich Jones;

• We would like CHNA members and neighbors consider the extreme cost and ineffectiveness of the ST3 package as well as the continued threat it will pose to our beloved Cross Kirkland Corridor.
• Neighbors should be encouraged to look at the tax calculator in the www.nost3.org  website. Calculators are also available on the Sound Transit web site and at www.smartertransit.org

To get more information, you can contact Rich (rjones8597@msn.com). He also “no on ST3” yard signs or visit the NOST3 website.
 
Neighborhood Safety Program
This is a city program that provides neighborhoods an opportunity to get small capital projects done. Lisa provide an presentation review previous and future projects. The entire presentation can be found on the CHNA website.
 
Previous project in our neighborhood include

• Upgrade to the 60th st access to Cross Kirkland Corridor (CKC)
• 68th ST stairs to CKC (submitted by Moss Bay)
• Streetlight and sight line improvements at 112th Ave & 68ths
• Pending – rapid flashing beacon at crosswalk on 108th just south of Fire Station

By Nov 3rd, our neighborhood needs to submit our project. There are several project we are considering:

• Project 1 – address issues on  “curve of 68th” . Ideas to get drivers to slow down and acknowledge the curve include; adding digital display speed signs, paint the curb with reflective paint, install reflective arrow signs, or install a curve sign.
• Project 2 – Improve the pathway behind Fire Station #22 and NE 66th Pl. This would be to make the path ADA accessible, clean up and potentially look at low cost lighting.
• Project 3 – address speeding and cut-through traffic on 106th (adjacent to Carillion Woods Park) Ideas include; speed humps, request a stop sign, center lane painting, chevrons, painting fog lines
• Project 4 – Welcome to Kirkland sign and reminder of speed limits in residential areas.  Recommendation is to put on 85th

 
Please either cast your vote for one of the project above to Lisa M. You can also send her new project ideas or Submit a Project Idea Go to “Suggest a Project”—Click the “I want to…” orange button and then select “Submit a Project Idea.” The interactive map will step you through the process.
 
ICS & Neighbors
Dr. Gregory J. Moncada, Principal of International Community School (ICS) & Community School came to the meeting to introduce their new Campus Security Monitor, Tim Sullivan and talk about improvements requested by the neighbors. In September, Dr. Moncada, met with several neighbors to discuss concerns around child safety, communication and the beauty of our neighborhood. 

• Last visit to a CHNA meeting, ICS students talked about setting up doggy pick up stations which are now in place.
• Talked with neighbors about tree height and potentially making window trees
• ICS now has 2 volunteer parents to clean up the gardens around the school and 2 family events to help weeding.
• The district sprayed pre-emergent weed killer and next was delivering mulch to be spread
• And to address the biggest concern, ICS now has Tim Sullivan working the traffic during the peak drop off (7:15-7:30am) and pick up times (2:05-2:15pm). Tim is the new, Campus Security Monitor with over 30 years of Coast Guard experience.
• Still a concern is how to better identify the cross walks. Suggestion was to see if the “School Walk Routes” could be re-evaluated in order to get new/different funding to address issue.

Please contact either Dr. Moncada (gmoncada@lwsd.org) or Tim Sullivan 425-770-1446 if you have any issues.
 
Additionally, Dr. Moncada wanted to an invitation to the community to come listen to this year’s concerts; Fall Concert December 7, 7pm, Winter Concert March 15, 7pm, and Spring Concert June 7, 7pm.
 
Houghton Everest Neighborhood Center (HENC) & 6th St Study
Consulting teams have been hired to work on HENC in conjunction with a study of the 6th Street Corridor. The consulting teams include; 3 Square Blocks, Berk and Transpo.  The team’s work will include public outreach and facilitation, the 6th Street Corridor study, and the Houghton/Everest Neighborhood Center study. Angela Ruggeri, Senior Planner for City of Kirkland and Marcy from 3 Square Blocks presented the early results from the online survey. If you haven’t already, Please fill out the online survey. The entire presentation is posted on the CHNA website.
 
Highlights from presentation:
This is an integrated land use/transportation study
It is a comprehensive outreach, a corridor study and a HENC study. The study is expected to cover to period of 12-16 months make sure to catch season changes.
he current online survey is from Aug 22 – Oct 28 – you still have time to fill out the survey!

Survey results so far are based on 442 responses:  

• We want small retail and restaurants – we don’t want offices and housing
• Biggest concern is PM peak hour congestion
• We want bicycle and pedestrian improvements

Next up is a Community workshop on Wed, Nov 2nd at Northwest University with doors opening at 6pm and starting at 7pm. Please voice your opinion either by the online survey, attending community workshop or sending your comments via email to the City Planning Commission.
 
Northwest University Master Plan
The master plan updates have been post on the city website. There is much to read! If you can’t read it all, it is recommended to read the Project Narrative and the Traffic Impact Analysis. Those can be found on the right hand bar on the city’s website (see link above). Additionally, Lisa included information at the end of the power point posted on the CHNA website. Please review and get your comments to city council.

• Comments should be sent to Tony Leavitt (not the City Council) by November 4 for consideration in the staff recommendation.
• Comments will also be accepted after November 4 through the closure of the future public hearing before the Hearing Examiner (still to be scheduled).
• It was suggested that the CHNA could request the City to extend the November 4 date for comments to staff based on the volume of the material (yes, there is lots to read), size of the proposal, and relationship to the 6th Street Transportation Study (The NU MP would generate significant traffic from the proposed commercial uses – tennis center, fitness center, and especially the use of the fields – in addition to the proposed changes in student enrollment.)

If you have not already, please join the CHNA Facebook page so you can get automatic updates.
Or check out the CHNA website.