Last Updated May 24, 2010
The LakePointe project is a proposal for a mixed-use development, which will be built in phases on approximately 45 acres on Lake Washington where the Sammamish River enters the lake. The site is just east of the Kenmore Air Harbor Seaplane terminal. The project contemplates including approximately 350,000 square feet of office space; 300,000 square feet of retail and commercial space (including a multi-screen movie theatre); 1,200 residential units (both rental and condominium); a marina; and over 4,200 surface and underground parking spaces. The proposed Plan includes a new road connecting SR 522/Bothell Way NE (at approximately 66th AVE NE) with 68th AVE NE (at a location approximately one block south of NE 175th ST). This roadway will be called LakePointe Way NE and will serve the community at large and the project.
LakePointe is not a new proposal and has undergone significant public review since 1989. The proposed development was included in the Northshore Community Plan that was adopted in 1993 by the King County Council. A LakePointe Citizen Task Force met for several years and worked with the developer to provide public support and extensive input into the design and implementation of the proposal.
LakePointe is intended to integrate different land uses and activities in a complementary manner to minimize the conflicts and integrate the usage among residents, shoppers, vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists. The mixed-use nature of this development will provide almost a mile of Lake Washington and Sammamish River channel shoreline public access. A waterfront promenade will be developed for pedestrian use along the existing barge channel, and will include trees, benches, public viewpoints, walking paths and sidewalk cafes.
King County approved the Master Plan for the LakePointe project just prior to the City’s incorporation in August 1998. The conditions of this approval were subsequently appealed to the City of Kenmore’s Hearing Examiner. While most of the issues that were raised in the appeal were dismissed, the Hearing Examiner ruled in April 1999 that the LakePointe proposal did not meet the intersection standards at the intersection of the proposed LakePointe Way and 68th Avenue NE. The developers were instructed to revise their proposal to ensure that it met the appropriate standards. In February 2000, the developer submitted a revised transportation analysis. After review by the City, the City issued a Notice of Decision on May 26, 2000 finding that the revised transportation analysis met the appropriate standards. The City's decision was appealed and a hearing was held in front of the City's Hearing Examiner on August 2, 2000. On August 31st, the Hearing Examiner issued his decision that the City did not err in finding that the LakePointe project met the intersection standards at the intersection of LakePointe Way NE and 68th Avenue NE. In January 2002, Pioneer Towing, the local property owner, announced that the development partnership formed to construct the LakePointe project had dissolved. The owner cited the current economic climate as a key factor in creating difficulties in securing the appropriate financing to construct a project of this size. The owner is still committed to completing the project and is in discussion with several developers who have expressed interest in the project.
The expiration date for the Site Development Permit was August 14, 2004. On June 1, 2004, the developer requested an extension of the Site Development Permit. After reviewing current traffic counts and re-evaluating the traffic study completed in 2000, the City of Kenmore issued an extension of the Site Development permit until December 31, 2006. On December 4, 2006 the City granted a further extension of the Site Development Permit to December 31, 2008. On October 27, 2008 the developer requested a four year extension of the Site Development Permit to December 31, 2012. On December 18, 2008 the City issued a one year extension to December 31, 2009 and requested submittal of updated traffic information before consideration of the request for extension to December 31, 2012. The updated traffic information was submitted on September 14, 2009. On November 30, 2009, the City Engineer reviewed and agreed with the submitted traffic information. On December 2, 2009 the developer's legal counsel submitted a letter renewing the previous request for an extension of the CSDP to December 31, 2012. On December 31, 2009, the City issued a letter to the developer's legal counsel that granted a temporary extension of the CSDP to February 19, 2010. During the temporary 45 day extension, the City and developer hope to agree upon a six-month process for considering amendments to the project approvals (master plan and/or CSDP). If a process is agreed upon before the 45 day expiration of the temporary extension, the City will agree to extend the CSDP for six months for consideration of amendments to the project previous approvals. If the process is not agreed upon before expiration of the temporary extension, the City reserves the right to approve or deny the request for an extension to December 31, 2012. Discussions with the developer were productive during the 45 day temporary extension period but additional discussions are needed to determine the feasibility of developing a work program, schedule and process for a potential further six month extension of the Commercial Site Development Permit (CSDP). On February 19, 2010, the City issued a letter to the developer's legal counsel that granted an additional 90 day temporary extension to May 19, 2010. On May 19, 2010, the City issues a letter to the developer's legal counsel that granted an additional 180 days (six months) temporary extension to November 19, 2010.
A Shoreline Substantial Development Permit was issued by King County August 13, 1998. The City determined that the date of entry of the consent decree (August 14, 2001) between the State Department of Ecology and Pioneer Towing Company Inc (property owner) regarding site remediation of on site contaminants constitutes the effective date of the shoreline permit. A written request for extension of the Shoreline Permit was filed by the applicant’s legal counsel June 18, 2003. The City granted this and provided a one year extension to August 14, 2004. A Clear and Grade application was submitted to the City July 14, 2004 to begin minor grading work on the site, which would activate the Shoreline Permit. The grading permit was issued by the City on August 2, 2004 and grading work completed. The City also granted an extension of the Shoreline Permit to August 14, 2007. Authorization to conduct development activities terminates 5 years after the effective date of a shoreline permit plus one single year extension (i.e. August 14, 2007). The Shoreline Permit expired August 14, 2007 as compliance was not reached with all permit conditions.
For more information on the LakePointe project, call the Department of Community Development at 425-398-8900. Project plans are available for review at City Hall.