I categorically reject the City of Kirkland rezoning proposal for Houghton/Everest based on the following facts:

1) I strongly oppose rezoning City-selected portions of theHoughton/Everest Neighborhood. If I were allowed to vote on the classifying and rezoning of Houghton/Everest, I would vote no in opposition of this proposed change, and would keep the areas zoned as they currently are. I strongly urge my elected officials to do the same.

2) I am a longtime Kirkland resident (1985) and am troubled by the immense amount of retail, multi-family and office mixed use construction being planned. The proposed five story, 55-foot tall buildings under review for the Houghton and Everest Neighborhood Center is incomprehensible. The Center is a thriving retail center for Kirkland and doesn’t need to be fixed. 106th is a narrow road and can’t handle additional traffic; and multi-story buildings on each side will create massive gridlock onto 68th Street. Oh and let’s not overlook mentioning 6th Street S. which is a total traffic engineering disaster in either direction. “Traffic congestion is choking my beloved Houghton/Everest neighborhood to death.”

3) I believe that the decision making process, applicable to this study, is not fully transparent in order to allow for Houghton/Everest residents to render a complete and accurate judgment of facts and issues. I feel that many facts and plans having to do with the entirety of this Rezoning project and process are being deliberately distorted, cloaked and/or played down from public information so that in the end you can do whatever you want.

4) I believe the argument made by the City of Kirkland for further developing such a drastic amount space in an already heavily congested footprint, rezoned at this time to be therefore invalid. I would like the City to utilize, develop and channel growth into the existing area footprint – to halt further urban sprawl of the Houghton/Everest Neighborhoods. As a long-time resident (since 1985), I believe that we are on a pace of ‘runaway land consumption’ to use up or build on top of the remaining space which is rapidly denigrating the peaceful character of the Houghton/Everest neighborhoods. This aggressive land consumption behavior also includes surrounding natural wildlife habitat areas to accommodate projected growth while at the same time not utilizing resources already available to us. This is totally unacceptable to me.

5) I do not believe that letting buildings which already exist within the Houghton/Everest footprint, that are available for remodel development and use while pushing the boundaries in the name of a “comprehensive growth plan”, is considered “Smart Growth”. I believe your plan/s is irresponsible and that is has dangerous consequences for health, quality of life, and protection for the Environment. It also blatantly disregards the past history and values of Houghton/Everest.

6) Finally, I am submitting my appeal as part of this growing protest to demand that the City of Kirkland City Board or any other decision making legislative bodies attached to this rezoning motion halt it immediately and allow a vote of the residents of Houghton/Everest on this issue. You are our elected or appointed leaders and the voice of the residents. When Houghton/Everest residents communicate to you, verbally and in writing, as well as by strong attendance of meetings on this issue that they are vehemently against this Rezoning project and that you are mandated by the people to let our voices be heard. This is a key part of the Democratic process.

I submit that I am capable of making my own decisions and do not accept that you know what is in my best interests. My letter speaks for what I consider to be my best interests and the best interests of Houghton/Everest residents alike.

Richard H. Schweizer, Kirkland