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FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2014
A DIVISION OF SOUND PUBLISHING
Community reacts to marijuana ban on Market Street BY RAECHEL DAWSON rdawson@kirklandreporter.com
I
t seems Kirklanders can’t have their weed brownies and eat them too -- at least not for now. Kirkland residents and marijuana retail hopefuls in the Market neighborhood are dissatisfied with the marijuana ordinance the Kirkland City Council passed 5-2 on Feb. 4. The ordinance immediately banned marijuana retail shops in the Market Street Corridor (MSC) 1 zone of Kirkland for six months. But in an effort to compromise, the Council approved an amendment that struck the MSC 2 zone from the ordinance, which is enveloped in MSC 1, therefore allowing the possibility of marijuana retail shops in MSC 2 zone. The zone currently houses businesses such as the Zip Market and 4/4 School of Music. At least two businesses, Recreational Marijuana King and Twisted Sacks Corp, have applied for a marijuana retail license using addresses within that area. Kirkland Mayor Amy Walen said the ordinance needed a supermajority to pass and “as the discussion developed, it was clear we would not have that supermajority.” “The amendment was a compromise,” Walen said in an interview. “In Kirkland, we have all points of views represented.” Walen said she personally understands the citizens’ frustration and would have rather focused on sites that could work for marijuana retail shops instead of zoning by exclusion.
Market neighborhood reacts But the action left the
Market neighborhood advocates, who wrote letters to the Washington State Liquor Control Board, the Kirkland City Council and testified at meetings, feeling like the same issues were “left on the table.” “The main issues that concern Market residents still exist,” said Heidi Kelly, a Market neighborhood resident of 18 years. “Traffic, for instance. Those who use the businesses at the Market location can tell you that there isn’t enough parking there for a business that could potentially draw in people from all over the area. Market Street is maxed out at rush hour already.” Kelly feels the Council shouldn’t consider the lack of available locations in Kirkland for these retailers based on whether a landlord wants to rent or not because “shops open and close on a regular basis.” She thinks the city should look at a more longterm solution that applies to the community overall. “Some Council members feel they have no justification for any local zoning because a large majority of the community supported the initiative,” she said. “While that is true, those same supporters were also voting for wise, thoughtful implementation of the initiative … No one expected to find a tiny pocket of eligible real estate in a residential neighborhood.” Kirstin Larson shares Kelly’s concerns in that when the Council compromised by cutting out MSC 2 zone from the temporary ban, they “split the baby.” “It’s a decision that made no one happy,” she said. “It’s still in the Market neighborhood and it’s still in a location that abuts homes.” Larson said the MSC 2 zone is 15 feet from someone’s bedroom window and if a marijuana shop was put in, [ more MARIJUANA page 2 ]
Exploring Washington by water Kirkland resident Bill Coady is the chair of the Everett Mountaineers sea kayak class. His classroom is the picturesque waters of Puget Sound. Above, this student enjoys the scenery near Whidbey Island. For more on Coady, see the full story on page 5. COURTESY PHOTO, Danielhalephotography.com
Green E Juice smoothie shop opens in Kirkland might have seemed like a world away seven years ago as Bi faced a dire cirIt’s not often business cumstance. Her husband owners hope more busiwas in 24/7 hospital care nesses like theirs open up for six weeks without nearby, but one businessmuch hope. woman has a mission: to “He had [tuberculosis] spread good health. in his brain,” she said. “It And Mei Bi, 47, is just was so severe, no remedy.” getting started in that goal His doctors told Bi to with her new Kirkland call their family in China business, Green E Juice. and make arrange“You have to ments for them to share,” Bi said. “It’s KIRKLAND visit. more beautiful.” Refusing to give Bi rang in her up, Bi helped her new business at husband to drastithe grand opening cally change his diet. of Green E Juice on Juicing and soup was the Feb. 7. The celebration was cure and he started to get abundant in Chinese tiger better. performers, samples of “It made me think about green smoothies and soup, health and sickness,” Bi and a packed house to said. “[There’s] so many welcome Bi to Kirkland. health problems. [In] ChiThe grand opening was a nese culture, you are what success, she said. you eat.” But getting to that point Bi and her husband opBY RAECHEL DAWSON
rdawson@kirklandreporter.com
BIZ
Green E Juice owner Mei Bi speaks with Kirkland Mayor Amy Walen on the day of her grand opening. Bi opened her business with the mission of spreading good health and promoting balance in her community. RAECHEL DAWSON, Kirkland Reporter erated two Grand Peking restaurants, one in Federal Way and another in Redmond, and had worked in the business for 15 years after immigrating from China in 1991. During that time, Bi also put herself through culinary school.
However, in 2010 after her husband got better, they made the decision to sell the Federal Way location so Bi could focus on dedicating herself to Green E Juice. “I needed to open a [ more JUICE page 6 ]