The future of a downtown building project now before a Superior Court judge could soon be resolved after Kirkland City Council agreed Nov. 4 to review new plans as part of a settlement agreement.

The redevelopment property in question is the Bank of America (BofA) property on the corner of Kirkland Avenue and Lake Street South. City Council passed a motion on a 6-1 vote to both request the Superior Court to transfer the dispute between the cityz developers SRM and a local citizen’s group, Citizens for a Vibrant Kirkland (CiViK) back to City Hall so they could consider an agreement already reached by the other parties. Councilman Dave Asher was the lone vote against the authorization.

The primary changes in the redesigned plans are for a 25 percent larger pedestrian plaza at the corner of Kirkland Avenue and Lake Street South and moving the fifth floor further away from Lake Street by removing six dwelling units. The fifth floor is now listed with a 125 to 150-foot step back from the fourth floor. The plaza is expanded to 2,800 square feet and is over 50 feet at its widest point. Meanwhile, many other design features that raised concerns during the appeal remain, such as plans for a 5,985 square-foot bank with a drive-thru to Kirkland Avenue and most of the building designed at four stories in height.

“We’ve been able to work through the issues,” said SRM principal Andy Loos, “and we came up with a design that works for everyone.”

For nearly a year, SRM has tried to re-develop the BofA property. But their efforts to do so were stopped by an appeal brought by CiViK on a narrow 4-3 decision by City Council in August. The contentious nature of the appeal then gave SRM grounds to appeal the ruling and sue the city for damages. All three groups began working together again after a stay was agreed to in September, putting any further legal action on hold. According to Jim McIlwee, a CiViK board-member, the additional time was exactly what they needed. An earlier mediation during the appeal in June bore no fruit and blocked Council members from finding out what happened through a confidentiality agreement.

“It’s the same people at the table,” he said. “Being able to come together knowing we … didn’t have to reach an agreement, it really gave us more of an opportunity to explore.”

The Council is set to review the plans and could approve a settlement and the plans proposed by SRM and CiViK at their next meeting Nov. 18.