Houghton History
Founded in the early 1870's, Houghton (originally called Pleasant Bay) was one of the earliest communities settled on the eastern shores of Lake Washington. At that time, Lake Washington had no bridges, and Houghton developed a thriving shipbuilding industry. After Peter Kirk established Kirkland in the 1880's, the two communities grew up side by side.
 Houghton shipyards - from A Look to the Past: Kirkland
The City of Houghton Was Formed During World War II, the Lake Washington Shipyard, located where Carillon Point is today, brought thousands of workers into the area. Interestingly enough it is where the ferry MV Kalakala was built. After the war, Kirkland began backing a plan to store decommissioned Navy vessels at the Houghton shipyard location. Houghton residents were surprised and outraged that their neighboring city would back a plan to bring in old ships to clutter and pollute the Houghton waterfront. When Kirkland proposed annexing Houghton in 1947, Houghton residents not only defeated the annexation vote; they banded together and voted to incorporate the City of Houghton. The two cities coexisted side by side for another 20 years. By the mid-1960's, Houghton had its own library, police and fire departments, and a city hall. Although running a city was hard work, Houghton at least had control over its own development. 
MV Kalakala
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The Community Council Law
In 1967, a new state law (the Community Council Law) allowed for the smaller of two merging cities to form their own Community Council. this council would have disapproval (veto) power over land use decisions that affected their community. After much negotiation and several votes, Houghton and Kirkland voted to consolidate in 1968. Houghton became the first community in the state of Washington to have their own neighborhood council. In 2022, the Washington state legislature, with full support of the Kirkland City Council, passed HB 1769 which sunset all Community Municipal Corporations such as the HCC. The HCC was formally terminated as of July 9, 2022. Houghton Community Council and Central Houghton Neighborhood Association The Central Houghton Neighborhood Association (CHNA) formed in September 1990, is a non-profit association of neighbors who want to preserve and enhance the character of Central Houghton. While we were often confused with the Houghton Community Council (HCC), we are a separate group and operate with different roles, rules and activities. Also, although CHNA gets its name from the city of Houghton, our borders do not include all of the original city area. The Lakeview neighborhood to the west and portions of the Bridle Trails neighborhood to the east of CHNA are also part of the former Town of Houghton; hence the designation as the Central Houghton neighborhood.
Check out the prices!
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CHNA and HCC
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Organization
Boundaries
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CHNA
East: I-405;
West: Cross Kirkland Corridor (old BNSF Railroad Line); North: 68th/NE 70th Street; South: Kirkland City boundary |
HCC
Territory that comprised the former city of Houghton. This includes the Central Houghton Neighborhood, the Lakeview Neighborhood and a section of Bridal Trails, east of I-405.
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Authority
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Same as a private citizen: provide testimony and recommendations on City plans and codes.
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Any Kirkland ordinance or resolution that applies to land, buildings or structures within the HCC boundaries becomes effective only on the approval of the HCC (or by the failure of the HCC to disapprove the action). The HCC also has the authority to make recommendations to the Kirkland City Council and the City Manager on any issues which may directly or indirectly affect the area within the HCC boundaries.
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Legal Relationship to Kirkland
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Residents of the neighborhood formed CHNA, wrote their own bylaws, and control the organization.
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Legally recognized community municipal corporation under RCW 35.10 and RCW 35.14.
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Origins
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A group of neighborhood residents got together in 1990 to address land use concerns and to promote a greater feeling of community within the neighborhood.
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In 1968, the cities of Houghton and Kirkland were consolidated. As part of the consolidation, the voters in Houghton established a community municipal corporation withn the former City of Houghton.
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Meetings
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7:00 PM on the second Tuesday of January, March, May, September, and November at the Houghton Fire Station (on 108th Ave NE)
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In 2022, the state legislature sunset the Houghton Community Council, effective July 9, 2022.
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