Thank you for shedding more light on the behemoth condo building on Juanita Drive. I think it is important to use this as a reminder why residents should be involved in their neighborhood associations and with what is happening in their extended neighborhoods.

I am a resident of Goat Hill and, while the building does not directly block my view, I anticipated how it would block the open views to Lake Washington similar to the condos behind Michaels (built before Juanita was annexed to Kirkland).

When we were first notified several years ago of the project, I couldn’t find support to fight it in my neighborhood. I talked with city planner, Angela Ruggeri, to see if anyone in the city was contesting it, but even the condos immediately next door were not objecting. She reaffirmed Kirkland could do nothing to stop it.

Of concern is that the property across Juanita Drive from this building has the same zoning. One resident on the hill has moved as a result of the building and suffered a huge loss in the value of their home.

To complicate matters, if someone pulled the original construction permit issued by the county they would see it is for a two-story structure. No reason to object. I have questioned the county on this several times and finally someone responded. It was a mistake and they would change to correct the number of stories (within county height codes).

It’s important to become involved early in the process.

Karen Lightfeldt, Kirkland