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THEFT | Former Hopelink employees charged with stealing, reselling bus passes [3]
$180,000 | Annual luncheon raises money for FRIDAY, JUNE 1, 2012 Lake Washington Schools Foundation [2]
A DIVISION OF SOUND PUBLISHING
BEER! | Annual Brewers Festival moves to Marymoor Park [10]
Potala Village developer files suit against city BY MATT PHELPS
mphelps@kirklandreporter.com
T
he developer behind the proposed Potala Village project on Lake Washington Boulevard followed through with his threats, filing a motion against the City of Kirkland
over a building moratorium on Business Neighborhood-zoned properties. The Kirkland City Council approved the extension of a six-month moratorium on May 1, originally imposed on
November 15, 2011, on BNzoned properties. The action was taken to give the city’s Planning Commission time to work on the conflicts between the city’s Master Plan and the zoning requirements, which
allowed for unlimited density for the BN-zoned property. The controversial project has also stirred many community members, who contend the city’s Master Plan and zoning code for the property are in direct conflict. The lawsuit, filed in King County Superior Court on
Thursday by Lobsang and Tamara Dargey’s Bellevue attorney Duana T. Kolouskova, on behalf of Potala Village Kirkland, LLC, claims that the moratorium was imposed on the property illegally and seeks an injunction against the building moratorium. The suit also asks for attorney
fees and costs from the city. “We are evaluating it and we will be filing an answer with King County Superior Court,” said Kirkland City Attorney Robin Jenkinson, who received notice of the filing late Thursday afternoon. The lawsuit asks for the [ more SUIT page 3 ]
Water main break closes Heathman Hotel REPORTER STAFF
The Heathman Hotel in Kirkland experienced a main waterline malfunction on Friday that resulted in significant damage to the hotel, spa and restaurant. As a result, the entire property will be closed until Aug. 1, allowing for repairs and renovations, said Les Utley, general manager. In the meantime, the hotel will relocate all guests and groups to facilities nearby. “As a commitment to our guests, employees and the community, we will be working with crews around
the clock to reopen as quickly as possible,” said Utley in an email. He added those individuals with reservations who need assistance with relocation may contact the hotel’s main number at 425-284-5800. Clients with corporate or private dining events are requested to contact their sales representative directly for assistance. “We thank those who have reached out to us today and we are committed to bringing The Heathman Hotel, Trellis Restaurant and Penterra Spa back to full-service for our loyal guests as quickly as possible,” said Utley.
Coker wins three state titles, Rebels take second one of them went down there with the desire to compete. This was the most Juanita senior Alanna medals and individual state Coker continued her mochampionships in school mentum from the district history.” meet last weekend to take Coker’s stunning perforthree individual mances during the state titles, while past two weeks are teammate Molly the best in school Greger won the history. Her state high jump chamtitle win in the triple pionship at Mount jump was not even Tahoma High close, as she beat the School in Tacoma. next closest com“The girls finishAlanna Coker petitor by two feet ing second (53 with a distance of points) and the boys 40-feet, 1.75 inches. tying for ninth (22 points) She won the long jump provided us with the best title by finishing with a finish ever for both teams,” distance of 19-feet, .5-inches, said Rebels head coach Neil more than a foot better than Kells. “We took 10 boys and [ more TRACK page 15 ] 10 girls to state and everyBY MATT PHELPS
mphelps@kirklandreporter.com
Driver damages Denny’s Denny’s Pet World employees push an SUV from inside the store late Tuesday afternoon. An elderly woman accidentally drove the vehicle through the storefront and six aisles of merchandise, narrowly missing two women. MATT PHELPS, Kirkland Reporter
Elderly woman destroys front wall of Totem Lake neighborhood pet store BY MATT PHELPS mphelps@kirklandreporter.com
Some Kirkland residents would like to see the Totem Lake Malls remodeled - but not necessarily demolished. Denny’s Pet World got a head start on some uninvited remodeling on Tuesday afternoon as a woman drove her SUV through the front wall of the beloved business. “It was loud,” said Denny’s manager Kelley Parson, who was at the front register. “It sounded like a bomb went off.” Police Lt. Mike Murray
said that the elderly woman “I ran until I heard my accidentally drove the mom say she was okay and Mazda through the front then I took a deep breath,” wall, at about 12:11 p.m. said Lacey Webber, who The SUV plowed through works with her mother Julie six aisles and nearly ran a at the store. Julie was near woman over. The victim where the car hit at the time hit her head and was helping a customer find treated at the scene. “It was loud. a pet collar. “(The A gigantic hole in It sounded driver) was just the storefront could like a bomb sitting there staring be seen across the went off.” straight ahead.” parking lot on 120th The Kirkland Fire Kelly Parson Avenue Northeast Department transwith debris scattered ported the driver to about the inside and Evergreen Hospital outside of the store. for observation, according The driver of the vehicle to Murray. was stunned by her actions, The customer who hit said store staff. her head was very lucky to
avoid being hurt. “If she had been 25 seconds slower she would have been hit by the car,” said Denny’s manager Starla Morton. “Once I saw her I made sure that no one was crushed and I called 911,” said Parson. Store employees later pushed the car out from inside the store and it was still operational. An estimate for the damages was unknown at press time. The business was preparing to board up the hole with plywood late Tuesday afternoon.