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DECISION | Kirkland Park Board to recommend North Kirkland Community Center site for new aquatic center [2] Dr. Nelson | Long time Kirkland veterinarian remembered as compassionate, passionate and corny joke teller [8]
FRIDAY, MARCH 28, 2014
A DIVISION OF SOUND PUBLISHING
Kirkland imposes new temporary marijuana zoning regulations BY RAECHEL DAWSON rdawson@kirklandreporter.com
T
he Kirkland City Council unanimously passed an ordinance on March 18 that replaces the marijuana interim zoning regulations that were originally passed in early February. Ordinance 4439 temporarily prohibits marijuana retail shops in the Market Street Corridor (MSC) 1 zone and the MSC 2 zone, which was previously excluded from the ban. Properties that abut the designated Kirkland School Walk Routes are also exempt from having marijuana shops. But instead of only taking away places for marijuana retail shops, the ordinance adds an additional three new zones for pot-shop hopefuls. The Light Industrial Technology zone and Totem Lake 7 and 9 zones, once available for processing and producing licenses, are now viable locations for marijuana sale per city law. This ordinance was greeted more warmly than the previous ordinance by council and community members alike.
The Kirkland City Council meeting on March 18 was packed with residents during a hearing about marijuana retail regulations in the city. Those opposed to retail on Market Street wore yellow scarves in solidarity. RAECHEL DAWSON, Kirkland Reporter “The fact is, at least my impression, was that people were concerned by eliminating the MSC 2 zone, that we would lose a fourth of the possible locations [for marijuana retail],” said Councilman Toby Nixon at the Council meeting. “By adding the light industrial zones, we reached a compromise.” At least 12 Market and Norkirk neighborhood advocates, many in yellow scarves, spoke at the public hearing, which lasted nearly two hours. Several voiced support for the compromised approach
and many encouraged council members to continue research with a strategic task force on permanent zoning codes that involved all of the stakeholders. “I think it’s great,” said Market neighborhood resident Kirstin Larson after the ordinance passed. “I think the council did a good job of looking at solutions for people trying to find retail as well as listening to the concerns of the community.” Kirkland resident Sharon Whitson, the general manager of Seattle Hempfest and medical marijuana user herself, also praised the city and community for working [ more MARIJUANA page 5 ]
Kirkland Choral Society celebrates 25 years BY LAUREL RICE UW News Lab
The Kirkland Choral Society began as eight musicians in a basement. Now, 25 years later, it is a large thriving organization. Jessica Martin, Managing Director for the group and soprano in the chorus, knows that it’s the members who utilize their time, money and talents for the betterment of the group. “Over the years we have become one of the premier choral groups on the Eastside, and we now have over
90 members,” said Martin. “We sing a lot of difficult repertoire and masterpieces. For us it shows a huge period of growth and improvement.” In addition to their faithful audience, the programming and quality of performances, there is a sense of community within the group. The Kirkland Choral Society has a total of three main programs per year. The first one of the season was in December 2013 and the remaining two are coming up during the next few months. The group will be performing their Brahms Fest
program in collaboration with Philharmonia Northwest chamber orchestra and Bellevue Chamber Chorus. This concert is scheduled for March 29 in Meany Hall at the University of Washington. “It means a lot for a group to be able to collaborate with other groups because it just changes the dynamic of everything,” said Martin. “There is really nothing quite like having 125 singers with a full orchestra.” They will be performing the Brahms Requiem. It consists of seven movements and [ more CHORAL page 6 ]
Kirkland business owner John Bagge leans in with Gov. Jay Inslee as a bill to allow caterers to serve alcohol is signed into law. CONTRIBUTED
Leveling the catering field Local legislators help Kirkland business owner get bill signed into law to allow caterers to serve alcohol BY RAECHEL DAWSON rdawson@kirklandreporter.com
In the past, John Bagge, president of Twelve Baskets Catering in Kirkland, has lost a $40,000 catering event for a local software company because his business couldn’t serve alcohol. “It’s happened several times,” Bagge said, who unsuccessfully applied for a liquor license in October. “We’ve lost several hundred thousand [dollars] in sales.” Bagge’s business isn’t a
bust, in fact, it’s had $2 million in sales and is highly insured, he said. But because his catering business doesn’t operate a restaurant, tavern, bar or tiny “fake” cafe, the Washington State Liquor Control Board isn’t authorized to issue the business a liquor license. Bagge’s business, which has been operating for 38 years, used to be a restaurant where they did have a liquor license. But he got out of the restaurant business 15 years ago and has
no wish to go back. He currently operates Twelve Baskets Catering in an 8,000-square-foot warehouse-type kitchen, which isn’t conducive to open a cafe or restaurant, he said. “[Many caterers] will have a kitchen set up, a little dining area, to appease the Liquor Control Board,” he said. “Once they get the cafe set up it’s pretty much done, so they can obtain a license. But once [the Liquor Con[ more CATER page 5]