Kirkland community members are invited to attend two upcoming meetings regarding the update of the Shoreline Master Program (SMP), a set of land-use policies and regulations that guide how shoreline properties are used and developed.

The meetings are open to the public, and will take place at Kirkland City Hall, 123 5th Ave., in the Council Chambers on the following days (attendees are asked to check the city of Kirkland’s website to confirm dates in case of weather-related delays):

● Houghton Community Council study session: 7 p.m., Feb. 25

● Planning Commission study session: 7 p.m., Feb. 28

The city’s current SMP was adopted in 2010. Periodic updates are mandated by the Washington State Shoreline Management Act to ensure consistency with the city’s comprehensive plan and development regulations and to make updates to reflect new state law since the SMP’s adoption. The city’s SMP update is also an opportunity to improve the city’s shoreline regulations to assure that our natural resources are protected for future use, according to a press release.

Minor amendments to the city’s wetland and stream regulations will also be considered to ensure consistency with the SMP, improve clarity and confirm that the regulations reflect the most recent available science, the release states.

The update is expected to be complete by fall.

The city welcomes comments and participation from the community as it moves forward in the update process. Comments are to be directed to the Kirkland Planning Commission at planningcommissioners@kirklandwa.gov.

For more information about the SMP update process, visit website tinyurl.com/yy9kr3fm.