Comments on: McLeod appeal still unresolved - It is time for some common sense http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/06/18/mcleod-appeal-still-unresolved-it-is-time-for-some-common-sense/ Kirkland's Blog for News and views on life in the City of Kirkland, Washington Tue, 06 Jan 2009 21:46:30 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6.2 By: murph http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/06/18/mcleod-appeal-still-unresolved-it-is-time-for-some-common-sense/#comment-457 murph Sat, 05 Jul 2008 18:03:21 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=209#comment-457 It is resolved. Slight modifications were proposed by McLeod and approved by Council. It is a go. It is resolved. Slight modifications were proposed by McLeod and approved by Council. It is a go.

]]> By: Daniel http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/06/18/mcleod-appeal-still-unresolved-it-is-time-for-some-common-sense/#comment-447 Daniel Sat, 05 Jul 2008 14:54:34 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=209#comment-447 I read similar article also named d appeal still unresolved - It is time for some common sense, and it was completely different. Personally, I agree with you more, because this article makes a little bit more sense for me I read similar article also named d appeal still unresolved - It is time for some common sense, and it was completely different. Personally, I agree with you more, because this article makes a little bit more sense for me

]]> By: Michelle http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/06/18/mcleod-appeal-still-unresolved-it-is-time-for-some-common-sense/#comment-330 Michelle Fri, 27 Jun 2008 16:41:21 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=209#comment-330 When is the future of the McLeod's project going to be further discussed ? The complex is now mostly empty and I can't wait for construction to begin. Thanks for this wonderful web site. When is the future of the McLeod’s project going to be further discussed ? The complex is now mostly empty and I can’t wait for construction to begin. Thanks for this wonderful web site.

]]> By: murph http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/06/18/mcleod-appeal-still-unresolved-it-is-time-for-some-common-sense/#comment-321 murph Fri, 27 Jun 2008 03:15:36 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=209#comment-321 Correction to my post above. I mean't Ballard (not West Seattle) off 15th, sorry about the confusion. Correction to my post above. I mean’t Ballard (not West Seattle) off 15th, sorry about the confusion.

]]> By: murph http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/06/18/mcleod-appeal-still-unresolved-it-is-time-for-some-common-sense/#comment-320 murph Fri, 27 Jun 2008 02:14:24 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=209#comment-320 The discourse over the looming developments of PP, B of A and McLeod will ultimately deliver a better outcome, but it is certainly painful getting there. No one is going to escape this process unscathed, but "this too shall pass". Personal attacks, in my opinion, are inappropriate. To the party(s) making caustic, personal attacks (and you know who you are), I suggest utilizing your collective expertise and volunteer to serve on the Planning Commission, City Council or the Design Review Board. Obviously your expertise would benefit our City. I spent a better part of the day driving through "downtown" Fremont and West Seattle off 15th. The core of Fremont has new 4 & 5 story buildings and still retains the same funky attitude and pedestrian friendly environment it has always been known for. Pete's Coffe on the corner is an interesting 3 story building with a stepped back top floor that appears to have a residential penthouse unit(s)with large terraces atop several stories of business/retail. I can envision something similar along the west side of Lake Street. The promise of diversity is why I hope Lake Street remains full of smaller, independent ownership rather than a massive block development that could define the culture of our City. West Seattle off 15th is a different story with institutional, uninteresting 5+6 story massive, straight-up residential boxes that will visually affect the area for the foreseeable future. I'm citing these examples of what I observe on a daily basis in the Seattle area because I am passionate that the key to a successful business/residential/mixed use core in Kirkland is innovative, quality design and the break of up mass! I cannot over emphasize the importance of sensitive design. Height, in my opinion, is less of an issue. If the developers didn't ask for the moon and presented innovative, outstanding, landmark design that enhanced the community visually as well as functionally, I seriously doubt that we would have found ourselves where we are today. And in the process they would have saved hundreds of thousands of dollars on merry-go-round of re-design. I'm in favor of PP mixed use but I remain concerned about the hard edged, institutional design and mass. That said, I hope Touchstone hangs in there because they have the financial ability to, with a bit more finesse, enhance our City. Unfortunately, the Googleplex could have enhanced the surrounding community, instead it will forever be the white elephant of Kirkland. I am told that the Googleplex did not fall under the purvue of the DRB. This is an unfortunate oversite of Planning and Zoning. A site that large, located in the middle of an established residential neighborhood in the core of the City, should have required formal design review with public input at the very least! One can only hope for monumental artistic landscaping, but with the visible surface parking, it does not look promising. The discourse over the looming developments of PP, B of A and McLeod will ultimately deliver a better outcome, but it is certainly painful getting there. No one is going to escape this process unscathed, but “this too shall pass”. Personal attacks, in my opinion, are inappropriate. To the party(s) making caustic, personal attacks (and you know who you are), I suggest utilizing your collective expertise and volunteer to serve on the Planning Commission, City Council or the Design Review Board. Obviously your expertise would benefit our City.

I spent a better part of the day driving through “downtown” Fremont and West Seattle off 15th. The core of Fremont has new 4 & 5 story buildings and still retains the same funky attitude and pedestrian friendly environment it has always been known for. Pete’s Coffe on the corner is an interesting 3 story building with a stepped back top floor that appears to have a residential penthouse unit(s)with large terraces atop several stories of business/retail. I can envision something similar along the west side of Lake Street. The promise of diversity is why I hope Lake Street remains full of smaller, independent ownership rather than a massive block development that could define the culture of our City.

West Seattle off 15th is a different story with institutional, uninteresting 5+6 story massive, straight-up residential boxes that will visually affect the area for the foreseeable future. I’m citing these examples of what I observe on a daily basis in the Seattle area because I am passionate that the key to a successful business/residential/mixed use core in Kirkland is innovative, quality design and the break of up mass! I cannot over emphasize the importance of sensitive design. Height, in my opinion, is less of an issue. If the developers didn’t ask for the moon and presented innovative, outstanding, landmark design that enhanced the community visually as well as functionally, I seriously doubt that we would have found ourselves where we are today. And in the process they would have saved hundreds of thousands of dollars on merry-go-round of re-design. I’m in favor of PP mixed use but I remain concerned about the hard edged, institutional design and mass. That said, I hope Touchstone hangs in there because they have the financial ability to, with a bit more finesse, enhance our City.

Unfortunately, the Googleplex could have enhanced the surrounding community, instead it will forever be the white elephant of Kirkland. I am told that the Googleplex did not fall under the purvue of the DRB. This is an unfortunate oversite of Planning and Zoning. A site that large, located in the middle of an established residential neighborhood in the core of the City, should have required formal design review with public input at the very least! One can only hope for monumental artistic landscaping, but with the visible surface parking, it does not look promising.

]]> By: Jen Greene http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/06/18/mcleod-appeal-still-unresolved-it-is-time-for-some-common-sense/#comment-301 Jen Greene Tue, 24 Jun 2008 18:19:17 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=209#comment-301 It seems that everyone is Jonesing for the opinion of one of us mcLeod tenants. So here we go... I own the Ben & Jerry's and have been here for just over seven years, which sadly makes me one of the older tenants in this ever-changing retail landscape. I have spoken with most of my neighbors and our general feeling on the subject is that we see the value in the project, and if it doesn't require losing our livelihood, then we want it approved. But this scenario has been far worse than we had imagined. We have all lost employees (who read blogs and papers that land at their feet weekly) or have had far more trouble getting summer employees because people are staying away from all of the "limbo zones" (including parkplace). We can't plan well for caterings, and weddings, anything with a future date has been an issue for, let's see, SIX MONTHS! We are not in the driver's seat on anything, we just have to watch appeals go on and on with no moderator to keep the amateur appelants on task. And though I haven't heard of anyone in this building being for the appeal (me included) the thing that makes my blood boil, is watching the incompetence of the appeal. Of the time on the June 3rd mtg, that was 7pm til nearly 1am, so much of it was not on task. I don't need to here what job the appellant has held, or how a condo owner thinks the cars might drive to get in! If time had been managed, we should now have decisions on both B of A and McLeod. Instead I had to watch in horror and disbelief as the Mayor (tho inadvertently) LAUGHED AT DELAYING AGAIN!! If you were waiting to see if you're going broke, or surviving, you sure as hell don't want to see the Mayor giggling at the fact that they still couldn't get it together to determine your fate, and you are that much closer to the ticking clock that is your expiring lease. For those that say we should relocate, I have to say, we would have to think long and hard about staying in a town that has shown it's true colors to be incredibly anti-small business. That's my 2 cents, or dime, as it were. Please take it with a few grains of salt, as this city council has made a bitter person of me. It seems that everyone is Jonesing for the opinion of one of us mcLeod tenants. So here we go…
I own the Ben & Jerry’s and have been here for just over seven years, which sadly makes me one of the older tenants in this ever-changing retail landscape. I have spoken with most of my neighbors and our general feeling on the subject is that we see the value in the project, and if it doesn’t require losing our livelihood, then we want it approved. But this scenario has been far worse than we had imagined. We have all lost employees (who read blogs and papers that land at their feet weekly) or have had far more trouble getting summer employees because people are staying away from all of the “limbo zones” (including parkplace). We can’t plan well for caterings, and weddings, anything with a future date has been an issue for, let’s see, SIX MONTHS! We are not in the driver’s seat on anything, we just have to watch appeals go on and on with no moderator to keep the amateur appelants on task. And though I haven’t heard of anyone in this building being for the appeal (me included) the thing that makes my blood boil, is watching the incompetence of the appeal. Of the time on the June 3rd mtg, that was 7pm til nearly 1am, so much of it was not on task. I don’t need to here what job the appellant has held, or how a condo owner thinks the cars might drive to get in! If time had been managed, we should now have decisions on both B of A and McLeod. Instead I had to watch in horror and disbelief as the Mayor (tho inadvertently) LAUGHED AT DELAYING AGAIN!! If you were waiting to see if you’re going broke, or surviving, you sure as hell don’t want to see the Mayor giggling at the fact that they still couldn’t get it together to determine your fate, and you are that much closer to the ticking clock that is your expiring lease.
For those that say we should relocate, I have to say, we would have to think long and hard about staying in a town that has shown it’s true colors to be incredibly anti-small business.
That’s my 2 cents, or dime, as it were. Please take it with a few grains of salt, as this city council has made a bitter person of me.

]]> By: My Considered Opinion http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/06/18/mcleod-appeal-still-unresolved-it-is-time-for-some-common-sense/#comment-279 My Considered Opinion Fri, 20 Jun 2008 20:00:49 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=209#comment-279 I have observed the activities of the development community with interest for some time and I have filled this blog now for a few weeks. I find the system by which Kirkland allows properties to be developed to be in question by a significant portion of the population. A city can develop in three basic ways: hands off; moderate involvement; and significant involvement. In my opinion Kirkland has significant involvement. The city has many requirements that other cities do not. The purpose of this involvement if to improve the development for the public good. Some people think this is too invasive and costly. I think it results in improved buildings. The process is long and costly and open to appeal but what alternive would be better? Do those who complaint about the DRB have a better solution? I don't see one. I may not agree with every decision made by the DRB but I agree with the process as being the best method for development. I have observed the activities of the development community with interest for some time and I have filled this blog now for a few weeks. I find the system by which Kirkland allows properties to be developed to be in question by a significant portion of the population. A city can develop in three basic ways: hands off; moderate involvement; and significant involvement. In my opinion Kirkland has significant involvement. The city has many requirements that other cities do not. The purpose of this involvement if to improve the development for the public good.
Some people think this is too invasive and costly. I think it results in improved buildings. The process is long and costly and open to appeal but what alternive would be better? Do those who complaint about the DRB have a better solution? I don’t see one. I may not agree with every decision made by the DRB but I agree with the process as being the best method for development.

]]> By: neighbor http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/06/18/mcleod-appeal-still-unresolved-it-is-time-for-some-common-sense/#comment-277 neighbor Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:39:08 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=209#comment-277 You're right Trooper in stating the options that were laid out for Council. I believe appeals of DRB approvals should be the rare exception, rather than the norm. If CIVIK and other NIMBYs knew that their odds of success on appeal were slim, they would not be so inclined to roadblock each and every development project that comes along with costly appeals. The Council would better serve the community if they were spending time debating broader policy questions instead of playing the role of the DRB. We have real issues in the City such as the current projected budget shortfall that need the dedicated time and leadership of Council to address. It's too bad that the system is so disfunctional at present. You’re right Trooper in stating the options that were laid out for Council. I believe appeals of DRB approvals should be the rare exception, rather than the norm. If CIVIK and other NIMBYs knew that their odds of success on appeal were slim, they would not be so inclined to roadblock each and every development project that comes along with costly appeals.

The Council would better serve the community if they were spending time debating broader policy questions instead of playing the role of the DRB. We have real issues in the City such as the current projected budget shortfall that need the dedicated time and leadership of Council to address. It’s too bad that the system is so disfunctional at present.

]]> By: He Who Shall Not Be Named http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/06/18/mcleod-appeal-still-unresolved-it-is-time-for-some-common-sense/#comment-268 He Who Shall Not Be Named Fri, 20 Jun 2008 03:17:40 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=209#comment-268 Trooper: The advice that was given is basically this: You have facts and findings to deny project approval, but as yet have made no decision (the city manager made similar remarks). Ultimately, you can: adopt findings in a resolution to "deny", review modified plan and approve a resolution to "modify" or simply abandon the proposed findings and allow the DRB-approved plan to stand with a resolution to "approve". Trooper:
The advice that was given is basically this: You have facts and findings to deny project approval, but as yet have made no decision (the city manager made similar remarks). Ultimately, you can: adopt findings in a resolution to “deny”, review modified plan and approve a resolution to “modify” or simply abandon the proposed findings and allow the DRB-approved plan to stand with a resolution to “approve”.

]]> By: murph http://www.kirklandviews.com/2008/06/18/mcleod-appeal-still-unresolved-it-is-time-for-some-common-sense/#comment-266 murph Thu, 19 Jun 2008 23:42:36 +0000 http://www.kirklandviews.com/?p=209#comment-266 I, too, wish the city business owners (not the land owners) would weigh in here. I understand the fear of speaking for or against, but they can claim they are a business proprietor and still remain anonymous. That is the beauty of a blog, right? I, too, wish the city business owners (not the land owners) would weigh in here. I understand the fear of speaking for or against, but they can claim they are a business proprietor and still remain anonymous. That is the beauty of a blog, right?

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