Holmes Point Overlay Technical Issue Explained

Posted by Scott Morris | Feb 12, 2014 | Holmes Point Overlay |

We are down to the following issue: The City staff doesn’t want to create a new administrative process for notifying the public and accepting public comments (and appeals) in the case of building permits where a protected natural area will be designated (including designations that won’t protect existing native vegetation). I’ve tried to outline this technical issue in the attached article. If you care about this matter, please submit your comments to the Planning Commission ASAP and, if possible, attend and speak at the Planning Commission meeting on Thursday. Notify your friends as well. I will present the FHNA...

Planning Commission to Vote Thursday, Feb 13: Holmes Point Overlay Amendments

Posted by Scott Morris | Feb 11, 2014 | Events, Holmes Point Overlay, Neighborhood Plan, News & Highlights, Policy Committee |

Planning Commission to vote Thursday, Feb 13, on Holmes Point Overlay amendments The Holmes Point Overlay ordinance (also known as the Special District Overlay) was originally drafted in the 1990s by King County in conjunction with the Denny Creek Neighborhood Alliance (FHNA’s former name) and was incorporated into the Kirkland zoning code when Finn Hill was annexed a few years ago. The Holmes Point Overlay applies to properties west of Juanita Drive. In general terms, it requires that a certain portion of residential lots be set aside for natural vegetation and that significant trees be preserved. The ordinance was...

Meetings on Issues Feb 12-19: Metro’s Future, Neighborhood Plan Mtg, Kirkland Commission Vacancies, Holmes Point Overlay, Finn Hill Survey

Posted by Scott Morris | Feb 11, 2014 | Events, Neighborhood Plan, News & Highlights, Policy Committee, Transportation |

Dear Finn Hill neighbors and friends: Here are some quick notes about relevant meetings and deadlines coming up during the next week: Feb 12 –Discuss Metro’s future with King County Council Members Jane Hague and Rod Dembowski: You should have received a postcard about this meeting, on Wednesday, February 12, at 7pm in the Finn Hill Middle School cafeteria. The main topic for the meeting will be Metro service. Since the legislators in Olympia haven’t been able to agree on a transportation funding package, Metro faces significant service cuts in May – unless the County Council steps in with a...

Feb 19 Neighborhood Plan Meeting

Posted by Scott Morris | Feb 5, 2014 | Community Meetings, Neighborhood Plan, News & Highlights, Policy Committee |

Finn Hill Neighborhood Plan: …the City will hold several community meetings with groups of neighborhoods to link the Comprehensive Plan Update to neighborhood plans. Because Finn Hill, Juanita, and Evergreen Hill (Kingsgate) weren’t part of Kirkland when it prepared neighborhood plans, we don’t have neighborhood plans yet. So, the City has scheduled a combined meeting for all 3 neighborhoods to get a sense of what our aspects of the Comp Plan should be tailored for our specific neighborhoods. That meeting is scheduled for February 19 at from 6pm to 8:30pm pm at the Church of the Latter Day Saints,...

City Mtg Jan 23 on Revision of the Holmes Point Overlay

Posted by Scott Morris | Jan 19, 2014 | Holmes Point Overlay, News & Highlights, Policy Committee |

Finn Hill neighbors and friends: The Kirkland Planning Commission is holding a public hearing this week on several zoning code. Two of them are particularly relevant to Finn Hill residents: one is a revision of the Holmes Point Overlay (HPO) ordinance (see below) and the other is solar panel screening proposal (to be reviewed in a separate email). The Planning Commission meeting will be held on Thursday, January 23, starting at 7pm in the City Council Chambers at City Hall. Update on January 22, 2014: The Finn Hill Neighborhood Alliance (FHNA) Board sent a letter commenting on the proposed amendments to the Holmes Point Overlay (HPO) ordinance to the City of Kirkland Planning Commission. A copy of the proposed amendment, with two additional revisions recommended by the FHNA Board was also sent. Holmes Point Overlay ordinance: This zoning ordinance was originally drafted in the 1990s by King County in conjunction with the Denny Creek Neighborhood Alliance (FHNA’s former name) and was incorporated into the Kirkland zoning code when Finn Hill was annexed a few years ago. The Holmes Point Overlay applies to properties west of Juanita Drive. In general terms, it requires that a certain portion of residential lots be set aside for natural vegetation and that significant trees be preserved. The ordinance was drafted, in part, to reduce erosion and slides on the western face of Finn Hill. ...

Author: Scott Morris