The future of residential, office and retail uses in the Houghton/Everest Neighborhood Center is being studied by the Planning Commission and the Houghton Community Council. The Neighborhood Center is located at the intersection of N.E. 68th Street and 6th Street South/108th Avenue N.E. As part of the study, the City is hosting three “Neighborhood Dialogues” to hear from residents, property owners, and business owners in the Central Houghton and Everest Neighborhoods about their vision for this vital neighborhood hub.
Informational presentations followed by facilitated discussions will be held at the Sept. 25 Everest Neighborhood Association meeting and the Oct. 3 Central Houghton Neighborhood Association meeting. A third “Neighborhood Dialogue” will be held on Oct. 9 for area residents, property owners and business owners to attend.
All meetings will be held at the Houghton Fire Station (FS 22), 6602 108th Avenue N.E., at 7 p.m. The outcome of the study is for the Planning Commission and Houghton Community Council to make recommendations to the City Council regarding Comprehensive Plan policies, zoning regulations and design guidelines for the Neighborhood Center that lies within a portion of the two neighborhoods.
Although the Central Houghton Neighborhood Plan was updated last year through the efforts of a citizen advisory committee, the Houghton Community Council, and the Planning Commission, a further look at the Comprehensive Plan policies regarding building height and density is needed and zoning regulations will be adopted in support of the policies. The Everest Neighborhood Plan has not been updated in over 20 years and policies and regulations will also be adopted for the portion of the Center that lies within the Everest Neighborhood.
Input from area neighbors, property owners and business owners will help develop land use policies and eventually zoning regulations that promote a mix of commercial and residential uses, implements transportation improvements, allows for higher density in certain parts of the Neighborhood Center, creates design guidelines, addresses building height, supplies adequate parking and provides for pedestrian-oriented amenities. No development proposals have been submitted to the City for this Neighborhood Center.
The study area in the Central Houghton Neighborhood includes the Houghton Center, the multi-family residential properties to the west and the Shell gas station, adjacent parking lot, and office building to the east. The Lakeview Office Center, Houghton Village, Houghton Plaza, the mini-shopping center that includes 7-11, and a single family home to the north of the shopping center in the Everest Neighborhood are also included in the study.
Input received from the Neighborhood Dialogues will be presented to the Planning Commission and Houghton Community Council at their joint Public Hearing tentatively scheduled for Oct. 25, 7 p.m., City Hall, 123 5th Avenue.
For background information and upcoming meetings and to subscribe to receive email updates on the Houghton/Everest Neighborhood Center Study, visit www.kirklandwa.gov/neighborhoodcenter.
