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Kirkland Council adopts 85th Street station-area zoning tweaks, narrows where townhomes are allowed
Summary
After a lengthy debate and votes on several amendments, the council adopted ordinance 49-36 amending station-area zoning and implementation tools; the final package passed unanimously following a targeted alteration that limited townhouse allowances in specific transition areas.
The Kirkland City Council on May 25 adopted ordinance 49-36, amending zoning rules for the Northeast 85th Street Station area after extended public comment and multiple council amendments.
Senior planner Leandra Baker Lewis reviewed the ordinance, which included three main changes: clarification and expansion of development-agreement flexibility, new limits on low-density housing types in parts of the station area intended to preserve redevelopment capacity, and added flexibility in affordable-housing incentive provisions to enable earlier implementation of inclusionary provisions. Councilors debated several staff-drafted and member-proposed amendments aimed at tailoring or removing townhouse prohibitions, testing minimum-height approaches as proxies for minimum density, and sunset/check-in provisions for any townhome restrictions.
Council members exchanged sharply reasoned positions. Deputy Mayor Black argued the station-area plan's long-range vision requires protecting redevelopment capacity close to transit and urged patience in achieving that vision. Others pressed for narrower, more targeted approaches. Several amendments failed in voice votes; one targeted amendment (amendment 4) that limited the townhouse allowance adjustments to parcels east of 124th Avenue NE and under certain height thresholds passed. The ordinance, as amended, passed on the final roll call 7-0.
Why it matters: the station area is a key location identified in the comprehensive plan for achieving the city's housing and affordable-housing targets because of its transit access. Council members warned that permitting townhome-style development in place of multi-family buildings could permanently reduce capacity and undermine the intended walkable, transit-oriented neighborhood.
What's next: staff will implement the ordinance changes and proceed with associated implementation steps laid out in the ordinance; council directed staff to continue monitoring outcomes and to report back if implementation issues arise.
