Neighborhood Planning

Each neighborhood has its own plan, which is a document that charts the course for its future. The core purpose of each plan is to help define - through goals, objectives and policies - how each neighborhood should promote mobility, accommodate forecasted household and job growth, and provide open space and recreational opportunities, and other vital services, all in line with the City's Comprehensive Plan.

Process

The City uses the Neighborhood Planning Framework(PDF, 295KB) as a guide for the neighborhood plan update process. The framework helps the community and City staff navigate the neighborhood planning process in order to build better plans. The framework provides a starting point for creating a schedule and work program that are customized to the needs of the neighborhood. The framework establishes expectations for both the neighborhood and City staff throughout the planning process. Lastly, it includes a cookbook of policies to help the community design policies that will shape its future. 

Frequency

In 2025, the neighborhood planning process will transition to a new updating process. All neighborhood plans will receive a comprehensive update with each 10-year major Comprehensive Plan Update, and individual neighborhood plans will be updated as needed during any annual Comprehensive Plan Update. Every neighborhood plan update process incorporates public participation and provides various avenues for community input.

As the Planning and Building Department works to update the 2044 Comprehensive Plan, staff has incorporated some edits to each neighborhood plan to make the plans as relevant and readable as possible. Draft revisions include:

• Minor revisions to neighborhood plan text recommended by the 2022 EcoNorthwest Equity Review Report(PDF, 4MB) to ensure consistency with Kirkland’s goal of a welcoming city for all
• Consolidation of historical text that is not neighborhood-specific into an Appendix to the 2044 Comprehensive Plan
• Formatting changes to enable neighborhood plan consistency
• Any changes that may arise from the study of increasing density along major transit routes (as directed by City Council). More information on this study can be found on the Land Use Comprehensive Plan webpage.

Below is a link to each the neighborhood plans that have been recommended by the Planning Commission for adoption:

• Draft Lakeview Neighborhood Plan(PDF, 4MB)
• Draft Central Houghton Neighborhood Plan(PDF, 4MB)
• Draft Bridle Trails Neighborhood Plan(PDF, 5MB)
• Draft Moss Bay Neighborhood Plan(PDF, 4MB)
• Draft Everest Neighborhood Plan(PDF, 4MB)
• Draft Rose Hill Neighborhood Plan(PDF, 9MB)
• Draft NE 85th Street Station Subarea Plan(PDF, 2MB)
• Draft Totem Lake Business District Plan(PDF, 6MB)
• Draft Market Neighborhood Plan(PDF, 4MB)
• Draft Norkirk Neighborhood Plan(PDF, 6MB)
• Draft Highlands Neighborhood Plan(PDF, 6MB)

*Note: The Draft Market Street Corridor Plan and Draft Finn Hill Neighborhood Plan will be uploaded once finalized.

Please contact project planner LeAndra Baker-Lewis at llewis@kirklandwa.gov or 425-587-3265 with any questions.