Bank of America appeal

Bank of America development appeal

Citizens for a Vibrant Kirkland

Our Comprehensive Plan supports keeping downtown Kirkland building heights at 2 stories along all of Lake Street South. The developer of the Bank of America site has recently received initial approval from City administrators for a proposed 5-story structure (55 feet) at the corner of Lake & Kirkland. If this administrative approval is not challenged by appeal to the City Council, the approval will become final.

We are pleased that the Bank site will be redeveloped, but we believe that administrative approval process and the current 5-story proposal do not conform to the City's Comprehensive Plan. The Plan provides that structures higher than 2 stories require an exercise of discretion by the City, and that a 5^th story requires a finding of "superior retail."

We believe that the administrative process failed to properly exercise discretion and that the finding of "superior retail" is not merited. If the administrative approval is allowed to become final, other developers will argue that such approval sets precedent for other pending multi-story proposals on Lake Street. Therefore, we have filed an appeal to the City Council, so that the Council can evaluate all factors and make the ultimate decision.

The appeal is a formal legal process that will be heard before the City Council at which Council members sit as judge and jury. The appeal hearing is not like a normal City Council meeting. The appeal process necessitates that we hire an attorney and experts, and that we incur legal fees and costs.