LAKEVIEW, HOUGHTON AND MOSS BAY RESIDENTS
IMPORTANT MEETING:
POTALA VILLAGE VERY HIGH DENSITY APARTMENT AND OFFICE
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143 Units (approximately 118/acre) and office on LWB/Lake Street
When: Monday, Sept. 26, 2011; 7:00 PM
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Where: Houghton Fire Station (E. of Metropolitan Mkt)
Purpose: Presentation by developer Lobsang Dargey* (or staff)
Hear from City of Kirkland Staff
Ask your questions
This is regarding Potala Village,** a very high density apartment development (Highest density of anything we've found in Kirkland, approx 118 units/Acre)
(Prior city documents cite 18 units/acre in Moss Bay & 56/acre average in downtown)
Questions and Concerns raised by neighbors to date include:
Inappropriate density (116 units/acre)
"Big Box" looking apartment (not aesthetically pleasing)
Does not "fit" in this residential neighborhood where density is just 12 units/acre
Does not "fit" the aesthetic needs of Kirkland's signature Boulevard
Parking within the project is lacking & local street parking is already full
Traffic of nearly 300 additional cars is unacceptable. LWB comes to a stop here
Worsening traffic is difficult for residents & may discourage visitors to downtown
Density will cause horrid light, noise impact to single family homes next door
A huge building will net tremendous loss of evening sunlight to next door condos
Areas of the building are in conflict with setback/yard requirements
The ground floor is supposed to be 75% office, designed as only 20% office
The ground floor is designed as mostly parking (not allowed) to increase density
The development is in dramatic conflict with the approved Comprehensive Plan
The loss of parcels zoned for small neighborhood serving business is not OK
Public views toward the lake and toward the Cascades will be impaired
Environmental concerns include conaminated soils, impervious surface, wildlife
Previous proposals for this site (e.g. condo w/16 units) denied as too many units. Why is 143 now OK?
How is the project funded? Many different loan arrangements seem advertised.
Could the project end up incomplete as a fenced in, partially completed, big box?
The concern about traffic and parking is very important to most of the participants in this process. At the same time, it is important to give equal thought and input re: other community concerns. =========================================================================
There will also be a brief Cityu presentation on a Transportation Benefit Districe (TBD) being considered to raise money for road maintenance (Seattle city Council just approved this tyupe of fee/tax to save the transit system there.) the City is seeking community input.