Zero Waste picnics, a city sustainable business survey and Parkplace redevelopment were all on the agenda Wednesday night at a Heritage Hall meeting for neighborhood leaders.

Kirkland Alliance of Neighborhoods (KAN) members and a number of City Hall representatives discussed how local projects, developments and summer activities across town are impacting the community.

Zero Waste Picnics

Surrounded by boxes of hot pizza pies donated from local pizzarias, KAN chairman Jim McElwee encouraged the neighborhoods – who are planning community picnics and barbecues throughout the summer – to plan their events with minimal or zero waste as a goal. Aiding him in explaining the Zero Waste effort was city public works spokeswoman Betsy Adams.

“From start to finish, the goal is to have a zero-waste event, starting with the use of ‘e-vites’ instead of paper invitations, to the plates, cups and utensils you use at your picnic,” she said.

Adams recommended replacing plastic disposable cups, plates and utensils with products that are biodegradable, from a renewable source or recyclable. Adams pointed out that the pizza boxes, paper plates, waxed paper cups and the plastic utensils made from corn starch at the meeting were all recyclable or biodegradable.

Parkplace debated

The meeting included presentations by both Parkplace developer Touchstone and a group opposed to the eight-story plan, Citizens for Responsible Development in Kirkland.

A-P Hurd presented Touchstone’s “Preferred Plan” as a mixed-use project that would raise the development’s retail space to 300,000 square feet — a three-fold increase over present capacity — and include an array of pedestrian and open-space friendly features. The project, however, would require zoning waivers for a requested eight stories (five are presently allowed). The alternative “Office Plan” would be a five-story tall office park with significantly less retail.

The primary differences (not related to height) between the “preferred” and “office” plans, as described by Touchstone: 60 percent site coverage by buildings versus 51 percent; 25 percent public open space versus 21 percent, 82 retail stores versus 5-8; 12 restaurants versus five; and a theater and public play fountain included in the “preferred” option.

Citizens for Responsible Development in Kirkland members Ken Davidson and Alex Morse criticized the “Preferred Plan,” calling it an “island” intended to be planted downtown over an infrastructure that couldn’t support it.

“We don’t want to lose our identity and become another Bellevue,” Morse said.

Kirkland Sustainable Economy Survey

Kirkland Economic Development Manager Ellen Miller-Wolfe and Yvonne Kraus from O’Brien & Company discussed Kirkland’s efforts to develop and retain businesses that boost the local economy. After winning a grant for $75,000, the city is conducting a sustainability survey. Businesses and residents are asked to gauge what goods and services they feel are missing, how interested they are in green business practices and for suggestions on how the economy could be “future-proofed,” or buttressed against an economic downturn.

“What are people going elsewhere for? What are the businesses we’re missing?” Miller-Wolfe asked. “Ninety-four cents of every dollar spent by a local resident is spent outside Kirkland.”

The survey has attracted over 230 responses and Kraus said the May 19 deadline for completing the survey has been extended several days. The survey is online at www.ci.kirkland.wa.us/business/sustainability.

Neighborhood News and Events

A number of neighborhood organizations have received visits from Mayor Jim Lauinger in recent weeks. He’s making the rounds to warn residents about the poor shape city finances are in and explain the city’s efforts to keep up with local needs.

North Rose Hill co-chair Arthur Best said some in his neighborhood worry about Costco’s plans to put a gas station on the north end of its parking lot. Everest neighborhood representative Anna Rising said her neighbors worry about traffic congestion associated with the Google office development scheduled to open this year.

Other neighborhoods looked forward to their community events. Bridal Trails will hold their annual “Party in the Park” and 5 & 10k runs on June 28. Moss Bay has scheduled a wine tasting event, dubbed “Kirkland Uncorked,” for July 18-20 at Marina Park and a neighborhood barbecue on July 21. Juanita will open its own open-air market at the Juanita Beach Park May 30.

The meeting was the last of the season for KAN, which will next meet Sept.10.