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105 | Kirkland resident celebrates landmark birthday, was born before Model-T was released [7]
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FRIDAY, JUNE 27, 2014
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City Council shifts marijuana businesses to industrial zones BY TJ MARTINELL tmartinell@kirklandreporter.com
K
irkland City Council voted to prohibit marijuana business from opening up in the Norkirk, Moss Bay and Everest neighborhoods while approving them in other Light Industrial Technology (LIT) zones. At its meeting Tuesday night, the council voted unanimously to amend its interim zoning regulations
adopted in March concerning possible marijuana businesses in LIT zones adjacent to residential neighborhoods. The amendment prohibits marijuana businesses in LIT zones where 50 percent or more of the zone’s boundaries are with commercial zones. The interim zoning regulations and the amendment passed Tuesday night are set to expire in September, when the council is expected to take the
matter up again. In a June 6 memo sent to City Manager Kurt Triplett, city staff concluded that it was best to restrict marijuana retail outlets in some or all of the LIT zones under the interim regulations, which last for six months before they expire. City Manager Kurt Triplett stated in a phone interview that the council
has several options available in September. They can either allow marijuana sales only in LIT zones substantially bounded by commercial zones, remove all LIT zones as possible locations for marijuana stores, or restrict them in certain LIT zones while allowing them in other areas, such as North Rose Hill and the area between the Cross-
Kirkland Corridor and Kirkland Avenue south of Central Way. No matter what they decide, however, Triplett said the council is unlikely to pass a permanent ordinance until sometime next year due to other issues on the Planning Commission’s agenda. In March, the council imposed a moratorium on marijuana stores in the Market Street Corridor and other neighborhoods
like Norkirk after residents complained about the potential impact on traffic and crime. Properties that are located next to the designated Kirkland School Walk Routes are also exempt from having marijuana shops. More information about Kirkland’s interim zoning regulations for the retail sale of marijuana can be found at www.kirklandwa. gov/marijuanainkirkland.
City declines to go forward with bid for 9/11 sculpture Survey results show lack of support for project from Kirkland residents BY TJ MARTINELL tmartinell@kirklandreporter.com
The Kirkland City Council declined to move forward with a bid for a 9/11 memorial sculpture at their June 17 meeting after citizen proponents withdrew their support. The city survey results were fairly lopsided, with approximately 83 percent of respondents in the survey voting no when asked if they supported the city’s purchase of the sculpture. When asked if they supported the city commissioning or purchasing public art commemorating 9/11, 79 percent voted no, and 74 percent voted no when asked if they supported a memorial in Kirkland commemorating 9/11. Respondents provided a variety of reasons for rejecting the proposal, which included the proposed location, Juanita Beach, a place they felt was not appropriate for the sculpture. Some respondents also felt that the art should be purchased privately. During its May 20 meeting, the Council voted unanimously to ap-
A survey of residents showed a lack of support for purchasing this 9/11 statue. CONTRIBUTED prove a bid for the Spirit of America 9/11 Memorial Sculpture, which would have cost roughly $13,500 to acquire the sculpture and have it installed. The Kirkland Cultural Arts Commission first considered the idea in April after being informed by a resident, and they eventually recommended it to the Parks Board. Several members of the KCAC, however, questioned whether Kirkland was the appropriate location for the sculpture, as the 9/11 attacks occurred in New York. During its May 14 meeting, the Parks Board voted unanimously to [ more 9/11 page 3 ]
Hope Solo enters the courtroom at the Kirkland Justice Center on Monday during her court appearance. MIKE SIEGEL, Media-pool photo
Soccer star Hope Solo pleads not guilty to alleged assault BY TJ MARTINELL AND MATT PHELPS Kirkland Reporer
Two-time Olympic gold medalist and Kirkland resident Hope Solo pleaded not guilty to domestic violence charges at the Kirkland Justice Center on Monday. The prosecutor originally asked for $5,000 bail but Kirkland Municipal Court Judge Michael J. Lambo released her on recognizance with a pretrial hearing set for Aug. 11. Lambo also barred Solo from drinking alcohol prior to her next court date.
Solo was arrested for domestic violence after a family argument turned violent at her half-sister’s Kirkland home. Lambo issued a nocontact order with the two alleged victims. Kirkland police responded to a call of disturbance at the home around 1 a.m. on Saturday morning. “The male caller stated that a female at the residence was ‘hitting people’ and they could not get her to stop or to leave the house,” Kirkland Police Lt. [ more SOCCER page 3 ]
Solo’s husband Jerramy Stevens and Shauna McBride, a representative with the Seattle Reign soccer team, enter the Kirkland Municipal Court for the hearing. SARAH KEHOE, Kirkland Reporter