Planning commission backs miscellaneous code package; raises artificial-turf lot-coverage exemption and asks for further study

The Kirkland Planning Commission voted unanimously to recommend a package of miscellaneous code amendments that includes draft language increasing the partial lot-coverage exemption for artificial turf and forwarded the package to City Council for consideration on Sept. 16.

Staff told the commission the package implements several state law changes and local technical edits and that the turf change is the only item in the “miscellaneous” bucket that was council-directed. The draft code language shown to the commission would place artificial turf in a new category of 75% exempt materials so that only 25% of installed turf would count toward a site’s lot-coverage maximum; staff also placed a cross-reference reminding readers that tree code, the critical-areas ordinance, the Houghton Point overlay and shoreline rules still apply.

The change to turf drew three homeowner and industry speakers during public testimony who said enforcement has been uneven and that modern turf installations can be highly…