High-density development will impact almost all of Kirkland’s residential neighborhoods.
Kirkland is a special place with wonderful parks, vibrant neighborhoods, and thriving urban centers. We want to ensure the Kirkland City Council focuses on meeting the needs of the current residents who choose to live, work, and volunteer here, while helping others find ways to make Kirkland their home. Our goal is to support thoughtful, sustainable, and necessary growth within our City.
This map can be found on page 9 of 39 from the
8/12/24 Draft Land Use Element
Transit Corridors
designated for high-density development
The City of Kirkland is planning to significantly increase density for all land shown in red on this map.
The City is designating seven new “transit corridors” that cut through almost all of Kirkland’s residential neighborhoods. As discussed by City staff, increased density will be implemented in a half-mile corridor centered on each street (i.e., 1/4 mile off the street in each direction). The Kirkland Planning Commission and staff have discussed densities ranging from 50 to 200 units per acre in these zones and have noted in various draft documents building heights up to 6 stories. In contrast, current residential neighborhoods in Kirkland typically have densities of around 5-10 units per acre.
There does not appear to be a realistic plan for how existing infrastructure will scale up to meet the demands of this infill building. Kirkland’s border with Lake Washington creates unique access issues compared to other local towns, limiting our ingress and egress points. Most of these “transit corridors” are one-lane roads and already bear heavy traffic. They will quickly become even more congested with a significant influx of new vehicles.
The City is also pushing for decreased parking requirements in connection with this development. Without adequate parking spots, overflow parking will spill onto residential streets, hindering emergency vehicle access, reducing pedestrian safety, and impairing visibility. Expecting new residents to rely solely on public transit is unrealistic given that many of these neighborhoods lack convenient access to daily services (like grocery stores). Kirkland has historically had extremely low public transit adoption rates.
Please join us in voicing your opinion! Read the information on this website and visit the “Take Action” page to get involved. Thanks for being here!
Learn more about the proposal
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What is the City modifying?
The City is proposing new high-density development within residential neighborhoods in the 2044 Comprehensive Plan. This plan is scheduled for City Council approval and adoption on December 10, 2024.
Upon adoption by the Council, the Comprehensive Plan will necessitate updates to city zoning codes to align with these high-density growth objectives. The Kirkland Planning Commission and staff have discussed densities ranging from 50 to 200 units per acre in these zones and have noted in various draft documents building heights up to 6 stories, reducing parking requirements, and easing setback minimums.
For more details, you can review the Development Capacity Analysis completed by the City or explore the land use documentation and presentations from City staff at the link below.
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Why does the City want this?
The City states that growth planning is mandated by the Washington State Growth Management Act, which is true. What is not being adequately communicated, however, is that Kirkland is projected to meet and exceed its state-mandated growth requirements with its existing zoning.
Per the City’s own study:
“This analysis shows that the City has more than enough capacity to accommodate its assigned growth targets, if we account for the growth the City has seen between 2019 (when targets were set) and 2022 (the analysis year).In 2044, the City is expected to have a surplus capacity of 6,234 housing units and 858 jobs above the King County growth targets. That said, it could be in the City’s interest to continue expanding capacity beyond what is needed to meet the growth targets and achieve important community-wide objectives such as housing affordability, better transit service, and reductions in per capita energy use.”
The City’s goals are admirable, and many Kirkland residents agree with them. However, the City’s plan to haphazardly fill residential neighborhoods with high-density (likely luxury) developments doesn’t appear to seriously address any of their stated concerns. It is not a given that new residents will be any more likely to adopt public transit, nor that most of the new units be “affordable.”
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What are our main concerns?
The high-density development being proposed in our residential neighborhoods is excessive. Kirkland is already projected to have a surplus of housing units above state-mandated targets by 2044.
Proposed minimal parking requirements are insufficient for anticipated growth. Without adequate parking, overflow parking will spill onto residential streets.
Kirkland streets, already busy, will experience even heavier traffic, and neighborhoods will suffer higher rates of cut-through traffic as cars try to avoid clogged arterials.
Drastically increasing housing units will strain resources like water, electricity, and sewage.
Kirkand’s urban centers are better suited for high-density housing thanks to their close proximity to freeways, public transit hubs, and grocery stores.
We are extremely concerned that very few Kirkland residents seem aware of this plan!
What can you do?
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CLICK HERE to sign the petition against extreme neighborhood densification.
*Please note that donations are not required to sign the petition. When prompted, you can scroll down and click “skip”, “not now”, or a similar prompt. Donations do not go to us!
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Read through the information on this website, the City website, and any other trusted source.
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Most Kirkland residents are unaware of the 2044 Comprehensive Plan and the massive changes that the plan proposes. Make sure to share this information with others!
Download and share our informative Flyer with your neighbors!
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Join the Cherish Kirkland Facebook group
Subscribe to our email list at the bottom of this page!
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Cherish Kirkland supporters are showing up at City Council and Planning Commission meetings to make our presence and opinions known! You can speak at open mic, or just be present in the audience. It is energizing to meet other neighbors and see your government in action.
Cherish Kirkland supporters are wearing blue to help visually show our numbers!
Below is a list of important dates. All take place at Kirkland City Hall. We hope to see you there!
• Thurs. August 22 at 6:00 p.m. | Planning Meeting
• Tues. September 3 at 7:30 p.m. | Council Meeting
• Thurs. September 12 at 6:00 p.m. | Planning Meeting
• Tues. September 17 at 7:30 p.m. | Council Meeting
• Thurs. September 26 at 6:00 p.m. | Planning Meeting
• December 10 at 7:30 p.m. | Council Meeting (Comprehensive Plan set for approval)
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Now is the time to share how you feel! Once this plan is adopted, zoning code changes will follow.
Submit your comments by emailing:
City Council at CityCouncil@kirklandwa.gov
Planning Commission at PlanningCommissioners@kirklandwa.gov
CC Planning and Building Director Adam Weinstein at aweinstein@kirklandwa.gov
CC the 2044 Comprehensive Planning team at 2044comprehensiveplan@kirklandwa.gov
*Please note that donations are not required to sign the petition. When prompted, you can scroll down and click “skip”, “not now”, or a similar prompt. Donations do not go to us!