C. Utilities Goals and Policies

Goal U-1: Maintain the quality of life in Kirkland through the planned provision of public and private utilities.

Goal U-2: Provide an efficient system to deliver high quality water.

Goal U-3: Protect public health and environmental quality through appropriate and efficient design, installation, and maintenance of sanitary sewer infrastructure.

Goal U-4: Provide surface water management facilities, programs and services that provide adequate drainage and minimize flooding while protecting and enhancing the water quality and habitat value of streams, lakes, and wetlands.

Goal U-5: Ensure adequate and competitively priced telecommunication infrastructure, facilities and services for residents and businesses.

Goal U-6: Reduce the risk to public safety and the environment in the event of a hazardous liquid pipeline failure.

Goal U-7: Promote energy infrastructure that is energy efficient, addresses climate change, and protects the community character.

Goal U-8: Facilitate the development and maintenance of non-City-managed utilities at the appropriate levels of service.

General

As an urban area, Kirkland is accustomed to a high level of utility service. These services accommodate the lifestyles of Kirkland residents and the success of Kirkland businesses. To maintain these community values, which are reflected in levels of service standards, Kirkland must balance the quality of the service provided with the costs and community and environmental impacts. New policy initiatives for achieving sustainable utility services can ensure this level of utility service is maintained into the future.

Goal U-1: Maintain the quality of life in Kirkland through the planned provision of public and private utilities.

Policy U-1.1: Maintain an inventory of existing capital facilities and utilities, including locations and capacities of such systems and facilities.

An accurate inventory of existing utility locations and capacities will ensure that the City can plan for new growth in a manner that reflects the ability to service that growth with adequate services.

Policy U-1.2: Provide for needed capital facilities and utilities based on adopted levels of service and forecasted growth in accordance with the Land Use Element of this Plan.

This policy is intended to ensure that the Capital Facilities, Land Use, and Utilities Elements are functioning in concert. Coordinated planning allows the City to make accurate land use projections based on utility plans, allows utility providers to plan for utilities in a manner that reflects expected land use patterns and densities and ensures that adequate capital facilities and utilities will be available with development.

Policy U-1.3: Use the following level of service standards for determining the need for City-managed public sewer, water, and surface water facilities:

Table U-1

Water, Sewer and Surface Water Level of Service
Facility	Standard
Water distribution residential use:	103 gallons/day/capita
Water distribution all other uses: Irrigation Business Fire suppression	249 gallons/day/capita (includes 1.5 million gallons for fire storage)
Sanitary sewer collection:	100 gallons/day/capita
Surface water management:	Conveyance, flow control, and water quality treatment per the Stormwater Management Manual for Western Washington or equivalent to prevent flooding, and protect water quality, and habitat in streams and lakes

Policy U-1.4: Ensure that utility services are provided in a manner that is environmentally sensitive, safe and aesthetically compatible with surrounding land uses.

A variety of factors are at stake in the consideration of any proposed utility expansion. For example, clearing for installation or maintenance should minimize impacts to trees and vegetation as well as fish and wildlife habitat. Utilities also should be installed and maintained to protect the environment from contamination. Ensuring that utilities are screened to blend in with their surroundings should increase community acceptance of conspicuous infrastructure.

Mitigating environmental and aesthetic impacts can have implications on cost and efficiency of the system. Therefore, it is appropriate to weigh costs against a full consideration of long term benefits that will be derived. Individual implementation issues arising under this policy should be resolved on a case-by-case basis in light of all these considerations.

Policy U-1.5: Facilitate and encourage the conservation of utility resources.

The demand for utilities, such as water and electricity, may be met by either increasing the supply or reducing the demand. As the region faces increased challenges to supply these resources, conservation and efficiency measures can be employed to delay the need for new supplies. Reducing the rate of energy consumption is a means to lower energy costs and mitigate environmental impacts associated with traditional energy supplies.

Policy U-1.6: Promote renewable energy.

Kirkland should lead by example. Reducing the City’s carbon footprint by reducing our output of greenhouse gases will help decrease the impacts of climate change and support the vision of an ecologically sustainable city. The City should continue participating in Puget Sound Energy’s Green Power program which ensures that a portion of Kirkland’s municipal electricity use is matched with clean renewable energy resources located in the Northwest. Continuing to target City utility infrastructure for 100 percent green power as is the case of sewer lift stations, supports this policy. The City should also continue to replace its vehicle fleet with hybrid and electric vehicles to boost fuel efficiency and increase the number of electric charging stations at public facilities. Other opportunities to reduce energy use should be aggressively pursued. Installation of solar panels and heat pumps on City facilities can further reduce greenhouse gas emissions to meet our reduction targets and encourage community use of these technologies. Targets are described in the Environment Element.

Policy U-1.7: Provide equal access to utility services, regardless of historic disparities in income and employment opportunities.

Utility service should be available and provided at the adopted level of service throughout Kirkland. The City or non-City managed utility provider should plan to extend service or upgrade infrastructure where deficiencies are identified.

Policy U-1.8: Install new and, where feasible, existing utility distribution lines underground.

Undergrounding of utility lines will visually enhance the area in which it occurs. In addition, undergrounding can reduce the potential for utility outages associated with wind damage and reduce the need for pruning of vegetation. The complexities of undergrounding could increase as new utility lines are added to existing poles (i.e., new franchises).

Undergrounding utilities can be especially effective along major routes with good regional views, especially of Lake Washington and within view corridors. The City should explore prioritizing the undergrounding of existing utility lines in these areas.

Kirkland should acknowledge the disproportionate costs of undergrounding existing lines for smaller developments by allowing owners to defer until undergrounding occurs as part of a larger project where economies of scale can be realized. The City will need to consider the tariffs on file with the WUTC in deciding where to underground existing distribution lines.

Policy U-1.9: Encourage the joint use of utility corridors and facilities.

Besides the benefit of minimizing the extent of environmental impacts, utility co-location, consolidation, and joint use increases the efficient use of resources. For example, there is significant land devoted to public stormwater facilities. Joint use of this land consistent with prudent practice would enhance the community while still providing the stormwater functions for which the facilities were built.

Other examples of joint use include:

♦ Sharing right-of-way acquisition costs.

♦ Developing pedestrian and bicycle trails and community gardens in utility corridors.

♦ Developing passive recreation, play areas, community gardens or wildlife habitat in storm and surface water detention areas.

♦ Sharing telecommunication trenches between providers and for the City’s expansion of its fiber-optic network.

Policy U-1.10: Coordinate with other jurisdictions and tribes when utility additions and improvements cross jurisdictional boundaries to ensure that decisions are consistent with regional demand and resources and consistency in timing of permit review.

Where utility improvements are planned to serve regional demand, it is imperative that affected jurisdictions, tribal governments and utilities work together from the early planning stage. This will help reduce delays and a lower quality of regional service.

City-Managed Utilities

Water

Goal U-2: Provide an efficient system to deliver high quality water.

Policy U-2.1: Work in coordination with other jurisdictions and purveyors in the region to ensure a reliable, economic and sustainable source of water and to address long-term regional water demand.

As a member of the Cascade Water Alliance, Kirkland has played a large role in securing long term regional water supplies well into the future. The City will continue to work with neighboring agencies and tribal governments to provide its customers with reliable, safe water at a reasonable cost, and address the potential impacts of climate change on regional water resources.

Policy U-2.2: Implement system rehabilitation and improvements in order to manage water resources.

Increasing system efficiencies by taking such measures as replacement of older pipes can delay the need for new and more costly supply solutions.

NE 85th Street Watermain replacement

Policy U-2.3: Protect public health and safety, through the appropriate design, installation, and maintenance of water facilities.

The primary concerns with water supply are quantity and quality. The quantity of water has health and safety implications, particularly related to fire suppression. Water quality has obvious public health implications regulated by the Washington State Department of Health and United States Environmental Protection Agency through the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Policy U-2.4: Visually screen new water towers and other water utility infrastructure to blend into their surroundings.

Utilizing vegetative buffers and camouflaging techniques can conceal and screen otherwise visually impacting facilities.

Sewer

Goal U-3: Protect public health and environmental quality through appropriate and efficient design, installation, and maintenance of sanitary sewer infrastructure.

Policy U-3.1: Work with King County, adjoining jurisdictions, and local purveyors to manage, regulate, and maintain the regional sewer system.

The existing regional sewage system has the capacity to handle Kirkland’s future growth. The system will require maintenance and improvements to increase efficiencies.

Policy U-3.2: Ensure that all new development proposals are served by adequate sanitary sewer systems.

In general, new development should not be permitted on property that is served only by septic tanks. However, in limited situations, septic systems should be considered for low-density residential development where no reasonable alternatives exist upon demonstration that soil conditions will permit proper functioning of a septic system. Alternative and innovative techniques in lieu of sewer, such as composting toilet systems and mini treatment systems, should be explored and encouraged by the City.

Policy U-3.3: Connect areas that are on septic systems to sanitary sewer.

Some older, less urbanized areas of the City are served only by septic systems. As these systems age and fail, they present health and environmental risks. Continued testing for markers of poor water quality and failed or leaching septic systems will identify priority areas for upgrades. The City facilitates sewer extensions to these areas in compliance with the Kirkland Municipal Code, by utilizing latecomer agreements or the sewer extension program, whereby private property owners are able to pay their proportionate share of the City’s cost to extend sewer to areas within the City’s sewer district not currently being served.

Policy U-3.4: Correct deficiencies and increase system efficiency. Emphasis should be placed on correcting deficiencies that present sewage overflow risks.

The greatest system deficiencies in Kirkland’s sanitary sewer system are related to the age and reliability of parts of the system. Infiltration and inflow of stormwater into the older pipes decreases system capacity and exfiltration of effluent from older pipes presents environmental and health risks. A new lift station downtown provides significant unused capacity and overflow storage to prevent discharge to Lake Washington during storm events. The focus should continue to be on updating older portions of the systems, with an emphasis on areas where overflows could occur near water bodies. Diligence to maintain and expand the funding support to maintenance programs, such as inspection programs, technological upgrades, and tracking, will continue to protect the system from overflows into Lake Washington.

Policy U-3.5: Educate businesses and the public on the proper use of the sewer conveyance system.

Public education and outreach focuses on proper management of fats, oils and grease (FOGs) and non-degradable products to prevent them from entering the sewer system. The outreach program reduces degradation of infrastructure and overflows, controls odors, and protects both the public investment in the system and the environment.

Policy U-3.6: Encourage water reuse and reclamation.

The City is collaborating with King County to study reclaimed water use and availability in Kirkland. The City should take advantage of the opportunity to access the regional repurposed water provided by the King County Wastewater Division at the Willows Pump Station. With development of the Cross Kirkland Corridor, the City may benefit by installing purple reclaimed water pressurized conveyance pipe that future development can access to irrigate landscapes and flush toilets. This will help protect Kirkland residents from any future water shortages. Future opportunities to reuse water for irrigation of parks and school facilities should also be explored.

Surface Water

Goal U-4: Provide surface water management facilities programs and services that provide adequate drainage and minimize flooding while protecting and enhancing the water quality and habitat value of streams, lakes, and wetlands.

Policy U-4.1: Implement the priorities and needs identified in the City’s Surface Water Master Plan.

The Surface Water Master Plan sets the course for the next five to 10 years of surface water utility operations. The plan is updated periodically and serves as a tool to guide the City’s surface water utility work program while managing resources, complying with regulations, and coordinating with various entities that are responsible for different aspects of surface water and stormwater management.

Policy U-4.2: Adopt surface water design standards for new development and redevelopment that incorporate best available research and technology in protecting water resources in an economical and feasible manner.

The goal of surface water design for new development and redevelopment projects is to provide adequate drainage and to provide post-construction controls that mimic predevelopment hydrologic patterns and protect water quality to the degree that is economically feasible. Such facilities may include low impact development techniques and/or structural controls such as detention vaults or ponds, infiltration facilities, biofiltration rain gardens and swales, or wetvaults. The Phase II Western Washington Municipal Stormwater Permit requires that the City at a minimum follows the Department of Ecology’s stormwater management design standards.

Policy U-4.3: Adopt and implement standards for control of runoff and erosion from construction sites.

In order to reduce construction related erosion and delivery of sediment to our waterways, use of sediment and erosion control techniques should be required at all sites where significant clearing and grading will take place.

Policy U-4.4: Encourage or require use of “low impact development” principles and practices to minimize the surface water impacts of development.

Kirkland encourages the use of low impact development practices and should identify incentives and evaluate potential changes to land use development regulations and building codes to support and promote low impact development.

Low impact development (LID) is a set of practices that mimic natural watershed hydrology by slowing, evaporating/transpiring, and filtering water before it reaches a stream channel. LID contrasts with past drainage techniques that collect and convey water to streams quickly – damaging stream channels and degrading water quality.

This approach uses various land planning and design practices to conserve and protect natural resources and reduce infrastructure costs. LID techniques seek to minimize the amount of stormwater runoff; LID facilities use soils and vegetation to treat and slow the stormwater runoff that is produced on the site. LID allows land to be developed cost-effectively, which helps reduce potential environmental impacts.

Low impact development principles include the following:

♦ Minimize creation of impervious surfaces;

♦ Preserve native vegetation;

♦ Cluster housing to allow for preservation of open space;

♦ Use site soils and vegetation to soak up and filter stormwater runoff.

Low impact best management practices include the following:

♦ Amend soils with compost to improve water retention;

♦ Construct bio-retention swales or cells, which are natural areas that have specifically chosen plants and engineered soils that slow, filter and absorb water;

♦ Use permeable pavement for roadways, driveways and walkways;

♦ Use green roofs to minimize runoff from impervious surfaces; and

♦ Collect and store water for landscaping or other nonpotable water uses.

When combined, such principles and practices can greatly reduce the amount of stormwater runoff from developed sites and improve water quality.

Policy U-4.5: Require businesses and residents to take steps to prevent stormwater pollution.

It is much easier to prevent pollution than to clean up polluted waters. Businesses and residents should be required to use both nonstructural and structural “best management practices” (BMPs) to prevent discharge of pollutants from everyday activities. BMPs range from covering materials stored outdoors, sweeping rather than using water to clean parking lots, and installation of oil/water separators to connect car washing areas to sanitary sewers.

Policy U-4.6: Minimize environmental damage from spilling and/or dumping of pollutants into the storm drainage system.

The City should respond to instances of spilling and dumping of materials into the storm drainage system through activities such as the following:

♦ Identify those responsible for nonstormwater discharges and where appropriate take enforcement action, including requiring cleanup or conducting abatement;

♦ Maintain and periodically update inter-City and intraagency spill coordination and response training and procedures; and

♦ Conduct surveys and inspections to identify and eliminate illegal connections to the storm drainage system.

♦ Maintain maps of the drainage system that allow pollutants to be quickly traced to their source.

Policy U-4.7: Assess the quality of water and habitat in local streams and lakes to evaluate the effectiveness of utility standards and programs and to focus future efforts.

Identification of specific water quality and habitat concerns and the tracking of changes over time should help to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of programs and projects. Such assessment is a recommended element of several State and federal programs.

Juanita Creek fish counts

Policy U-4.8: Ensure that privately owned stormwater facilities are operated and maintained in a manner that maximizes their quantity and quality control benefits.

When well-maintained detention and water quality facilities on private property serve to protect downstream resources, City programs should be continued to ensure that privately owned stormwater facilities are operated and maintained so that downstream systems are not affected.

Policy U-4.9: Educate the public on protecting and enhancing the quality of our water resources.

The City should strive to raise awareness of the impact that everyday business and residential activities can have on water quality and fish habitat and populations, and to provide information on best practices. These include natural yard care, proper disposal of animal waste, including chickens, horses and household pet waste, proper storage of materials, and washing practices, that can prevent the discharge of pollutants. Citizen volunteers should be involved in activities that increase stewardship of our water resources. The City should also explore new techniques for engaging the public and effecting positive changes in behavior.

Policy U-4.10: Explore the potential for regional stormwater facilities.

In some cases, particularly where there is significant redevelopment, providing regional facilities for flow control and water quality treatment may provide efficient and effective means of management of stormwater.

Policy U-4.11: Take steps to remove fish passage barriers and to protect and enhance fish habitat.

The Muckleshoot Indian Tribe has Treaty fishing rights in Kirkland. The City should work closely with the Muckleshoot Tribe to prioritize fish passage barrier removal and other habitat enhancement projects to maximize the habitat benefits with available funding.

Policy U-4.12: Conduct municipal operations in a manner that protects water quality.

Use erosion control and pollution prevention practices in City operations including but not limited to parks, streets, wastewater, stormwater, and water in order to minimize the discharge of pollutants to the stormwater system.

Policy U-4.13: Coordinate basin planning, pollution prevention, and restoration activities with neighboring jurisdictions.

Watersheds do not stop at jurisdictional boundaries, and must be analyzed and restored as whole entities. The City should coordinate activities with King County, Bellevue and Redmond and other jurisdictions as appropriate to maximize the positive impact of projects and programs.

Policy U-4.14: Participate in regional surface water resources and fish resource conservation planning efforts.

The City should continue in the participation of the WRIA 8 salmon conservation planning effort and the Puget Sound Shared Strategy. The purpose of this project is to develop a plan for recovery of salmon habitat functions of the greater Lake Washington Watershed. Habitat is the only one of the four “H’s,” Habitat, Hydropower, Hatcheries, and Harvest, which is under local government control. Recovery of salmon stocks listed as threatened under the Federal Endangered Species Act would reduce the regulatory and liability burden for local jurisdictions, help to protect a vital part of our regional economy, and protect a species that has great cultural significance in the Pacific Northwest.

Policy U-4.15: Ensure compliance with State and federal regulations related to surface water quality and fisheries resources.

The City should coordinate surface water management requirements and programs with a variety of State and federal programs and regulations, including but not limited to the following:

♦ National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, Phase II;

♦ Puget Sound Partnership Action Agenda for Puget Sound; and

♦ Federal Endangered Species Act listing of Chinook salmon as a threatened species.

This policy is intended to acknowledge and accommodate future regulatory changes.

Policy U-4.16: Investigate and plan for the impacts of climate change on operation, maintenance and construction of the stormwater system.

Changes in precipitation patterns and climate may impact flooding and the need to store and reuse rainwater. Investigate and plan for sizing of the conveyance system, provision of additional areas for storage of flood waters, and potential for rainwater reuse. Evaluate construction methods used for stormwater system to insure that they minimize the production of greenhouse gases to the degree possible.

Policy U-4.17: Conduct asset management and planning to insure uninterrupted and efficient operation of the stormwater system.

Assessment of the condition and ranking of assets according to their criticality and likelihood of failure should be done to help prioritize replacement and rehabilitation of the system.

Policy U-4.18: Consider acquisition of open space, stream corridors and/or wetlands in cases where this would further goals of reducing flooding, improving water quality and improving fish habitat.

There are cases where preservation and/or restoration of stream corridors and wetlands may benefit City functions, and where this may not happen despite critical areas regulations. In addition, there may be cases where restoration of streams or wetlands would have significant benefits for water quality and habitat, and this work would likely not happen if the property were not under City ownership.

Telecommunications

Goal U-5: Ensure adequate and competitively priced telecommunication infrastructure, facilities and services for residents and businesses.

Policy U-5.1: Manage the City’s existing and planned telecommunication improvements to optimize service delivery opportunities in Kirkland.

The City should plan and install sufficient capacity into its telecommunication system to meet future City needs.

Policy U-5.2: Partner with public agencies and private sector organizations to achieve cooperation and cost-sharing in building telecommunication systems and providing service.

The City should establish partnerships with public agencies and private sector organizations and encourage collocation of telecommunication space, on towers and buildings and in fiber-optic lines.

Policy U-5.3: Review and update City policies, procedures and regulations to facilitate the installation and maintenance of telecommunication systems.

The City should review and update its policies, procedures and practices to ensure that they facilitate the installation of new telecommunication systems and support existing systems. In addition, the City’s development regulations need to be flexible or revised on a regular basis to respond to changes in technology and consumer needs.

Wireless access

Policy U-5.4: Seek opportunities to enhance the number of service providers in the community to increase choice and fair access and encourage competitive pricing and high quality customer service.

Choice, availability and price are important factors to telecommunication consumers. The City should look for opportunities to increase the number of high quality service providers to have competitively priced and high quality telecommunication systems in Kirkland.

Policy U-5.5: Involve community stakeholders and service providers in telecommunication decisions.

The City should involve consumers, service providers and other public entities with telecommunication systems in Kirkland when reviewing its policies, practices and development regulations to ensure that consumer needs are being met, including enhancements to broadband services, and that providers and other public entities can install the facilities.

Policy U-5.6: Continue to provide and improve audio-visual systems for City communication with the public.

The City should invest in high quality systems, equipment and staff to support broadly available communications with citizens via the technologies that work best for them.

Policy U-5.7: Mitigate impacts of wireless service facilities on adjacent land uses through careful siting and design. Facilitate the approval of wireless service facilities to balance the need for community connectivity with aesthetic standards. Stay up-to-date with changing technologies and rules.

In order to minimize potential impacts, personal wireless services facilities should be located to the extent possible in nonresidential areas. There should be a preference for facilities co-located on existing towers, and located on existing structures such as building or equipment structure facades, transmission towers or utility poles, to avoid unnecessary proliferation. When new facilities are required or existing facilities are expanded, providers should be required to use techniques to screen or conceal the wireless service facilities to be compatible with the surroundings.

In recognition of the important role wireless services play in facilitating business and personal communication, the City should enable carriers to quickly and efficiently site and configure facilities in ways that meet our standards. One of the best ways is to provide faster permit review for the locations and types of facilities the City wants to encourage.

Also, in recognition of the changing technology and industry, the City should ensure that property owners or providers remove abandoned facilities promptly. In addition, federal regulations covering wireless service facilities change frequently and the City should monitor and amend regulations accordingly.

Policy U-5.8: Allow new aerial telephone and cable lines in the right-of-way, provided that they are designed and installed to minimize aesthetic impacts and are subsequently required to be placed underground at the time of undergrounding electrical distribution lines.

Communication lines (telephone and cable) are often located on electrical utility poles. However, electrical lines are typically the determinate for when communication lines are undergrounded. When electrical distribution lines are placed underground communication facilities must also be undergrounded.

Policy U-5.9: Ensure that franchise and right-of-way agreements with telecommunication service providers require collaborative undergrounding of facilities when electrical distribution lines are placed underground.

The City’s objective for undergrounding is to minimize aesthetic impacts and create more resilient infrastructure. Collaborative undergrounding creates economies of scale for all parties and minimizes traffic disruption.

Policy U-5.10: Screen ground mounted cabinets associated with telephone and cable telecommunication equipment so that they fit in with their surroundings.

Landscaping, proper placement and camouflaging techniques should be used to soften the appearance of the structures. Recognize that the provider must have access to the facilities in order to service and maintain them.

Non-City-Managed Utilities

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) has traditionally been the primary regulatory agency for private utilities. The WUTC has the authority to define the costs that a regulated utility can recover, and consequently provides oversight to ensure that the utility acts prudently and responsibly. Under the Growth Management Act, local jurisdictions have the obligation and requirement to plan for utilities including the identification of utility corridors. Kirkland will need to consider the obligations of the utilities to WUTC regulation when considering policies and regulation affecting their operations.

Hazardous Liquid Pipelines

Goal U-6: Reduce the risk to public safety and the environment in the event of a hazardous liquid pipeline failure.

This goal addresses safety concerns. Damage from external forces such as construction equipment can produce an immediate fuel release or a scratch on a coated-steel pipeline can lead to accelerated corrosion and failure at a later time. Other safety concerns are location of land uses with high on-site populations that are difficult to evacuate, and location of emergency facilities and other land uses where the consequence of the loss in the event of a pipeline failure is high.

Actions that can be taken to ensure a higher degree of safety include early detection of potential pipeline damage or failures through adequate maintenance of the hazardous liquid pipeline corridor, neighborhood education, and working with other governments and industry representatives to seek improvements in safety measures for hazardous liquid pipelines. These provisions are intended to protect the health, safety and welfare of the general public.

During development review and construction of projects in the vicinity of the pipeline, setting requirements for avoidance of damage and coordination between Kirkland and the pipeline operator, Olympic Pipeline Company, or its successor can help avoid problems. The following actions can reduce the chance of an incident:

♦ Identifying the location of the pipeline corridor on site plans, plats or other construction drawings;

♦ Using the one-call locator service, particularly during construction on adjacent properties;

♦ Physically verifying pipeline locations as needed to minimize the likelihood of damage;

♦ Establishing and maintaining setback requirements from the hazardous liquid pipelines for new or expanded structures and other significant land disturbance; and

♦ Monitoring land disturbance close to the pipeline by the pipeline operator or its representative.

Policy U-6.1: Establish standards to minimize pipeline damage.

Require development activity near pipelines to provide the following information in order to evaluate the proposal:

♦ Location of the liquid pipeline corridor in relation to proposed structures, utilities, or clearing and grading activities.

♦ Proposed techniques to minimize the potential disturbance to the pipeline prior to and during construction.

♦ Potential stormwater discharge impacts to the pipeline, and mitigation measures to prevent erosion.

♦ Setbacks and other site design techniques to minimize the potential hazard.

♦ Emergency plans as appropriate.

Policy U-6.2: Coordinate with the pipeline operator when developments are proposed near the hazardous liquid pipeline corridor to reduce the potential for problems.

The City and operator should communicate and coordinate their review. Methods include the following:

♦ Notifying the pipeline operator of proposed development projects located near the pipeline corridor.

♦ Receiving verification that the pipeline operator has received and reviewed the proposal, and provided comments prior to City review of development activity.

♦ Seeking the pipeline operator’s participation in preconstruction meetings if warranted.

♦ Seeking monitoring by the pipeline operator of development that involves land disturbance or other significant work within or near the pipeline corridor.

Policy U-6.3: Prohibit new high consequence land uses from locating near a hazardous liquid pipeline corridor. Design proposed expansions of high consequence land uses to avoid increasing the level of risk in the event of a pipeline failure and, where feasible, to reduce the risk.

Kirkland can help reduce the risk of injury in the event of a pipeline failure by not allowing certain land uses to locate near hazardous liquid pipelines. Land uses with high-density on-site populations that cannot be readily evacuated or protected in the event of a pipeline failure are considered “high consequence land uses.” Examples are schools and multifamily housing exclusively for the elderly or the handicapped. Uses such as these carry a relatively higher risk and have higher potential consequences in the event of a pipeline failure and therefore are not as appropriate as other uses near pipelines. Facilities that serve critical “lifeline” or emergency functions, such as fire and police facilities or utilities that provide regional service, are also considered “high consequence land uses.”

John Muir Elementary School is located near the pipeline corridor in the Kingsgate neighborhood. Future expansions can use measures such as site planning that reflect anticipated flow paths for leaking hazardous materials and emergency response.

Policy U-6.4: Require maintenance of the hazardous liquid pipeline corridor through a franchise agreement or other mechanisms.

The pipeline operator can help reduce the likelihood of accidental damage by adequately maintaining the pipeline corridor. Dense vegetation such as blackberry bushes can impede visibility and access. Instead, the pipeline corridor can be properly maintained with grass or other low-growing vegetation that enables easy inspection while preventing erosion. Ensuring that the pipeline locations are marked and that missing markers are replaced is also important, as is periodic aerial inspection of the pipeline corridor to detect potential problems. Kirkland can assist this effort when permits are necessary for inspections or repair with prompt permit processing. The pipeline operator should maintain the pipeline corridor on a continual basis by:

♦ Maintaining vegetation to enable visibility and access for inspection while ensuring that such maintenance does not contribute to soil erosion;

♦ Using plant species and plantings that prevent erosion;

♦ Ensuring that above and below grade pipeline markers containing information, such as operator name and number and facility type, are in place; and

♦ Conducting periodic visual inspections of the corridor.

Policy U-6.5: Expedite permits for the hazardous liquid pipeline company necessary for inspections and repairs.

Policy U-6.6: Continue to work with other jurisdictions, state and federal governments, and the pipeline operator to seek improvements in safety measures for hazardous liquid pipelines.

Working with other jurisdictions and agencies as part of a unified approach to addressing pipeline safety issues is important. This unified approach can address issues such as maintaining a model franchise agreement, periodic review of the pipeline operator’s safety action plan to identify any deficiencies, and advocacy of City concerns regarding pipeline safety regulations.

Policy U-6.7: Encourage the pipeline operator to maintain a neighborhood education program for those who live and work within one-quarter mile of the hazardous liquid pipeline to educate them and the general public about pipeline safety.

People who live on property or work near the pipelines can also play an important part in avoiding pipeline damage and identifying potential problems early on. The Olympic Pipeline Company or its successor can promote public safety through periodic neighborhood mailings and meetings. Important information should include facts about the pipelines, how to avoid damage, potential problems to watch out for, such as unusual smells or suspicious construction activities, and how to respond in the event of a failure or other problem.

Energy

Goal U-7: Promote energy infrastructure that is energy efficient, addresses climate change, and protects the community character.

Policy U-7.1: Encourage the public to conserve energy through public education.

Utilizing renewable energy sources, conserving energy, and employing new energy technologies and efficiencies further Kirkland’s sustainability goals. Renewables include solar, wind and other sustainable energy sources. The City should initiate public outreach to engage the community in this effort.

Policy U-7.2: Participate in regional efforts to increase renewable electricity use 20 percent beyond 2012 levels Countywide by 2030, phase out coal fire electricity sources by 2025, limit construction of new natural gas based electricity power plants, and support development of increasing amounts of renewable energy sources.

Kirkland must advocate for the transition from carbon based energy to renewables in coordination with the King County Climate Change Collaborative (K4C) at the state level. The K4C is a partnership between the county and cities to coordinate and enhance local government climate and sustainability efforts. As a founding member of the K4C, Kirkland leads in its commitment to support plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Renewables include solar, wind and other sustainable energy sources.

The City adopted Principles of Collaboration and Joint County-City Climate Commitments in 2014. Energy supply commitments are strategies and actions to meet these King County wide targets. These are further described in the Environment Element. Kirkland should build on existing state renewable energy commitments including the Washington State Renewable Portfolio Standard to partner with utilities, including Puget Sound Energy, and other stakeholders on a Countywide commitment to renewable energy resources, including meeting energy demand through energy efficiency improvements and phasing out fossil fuel.

Policy U-7.3: Work with and encourage Puget Sound Energy to provide clean and renewable energy that meets the needs of existing and future development, and provides sustainable, highly reliable and energy efficient service for Kirkland customers.

Kirkland requires highly reliable service for public health and safety and to meet the needs of our residents and businesses, while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In recognition of the challenges that climate change poses to our community, Kirkland has adopted greenhouse gas emission reduction targets. As discussed in the Environment Element, besides transportation, the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions are residential and commercial buildings. Puget Sound Energy provides all of Kirkland’s energy needs and about half are derived from fossil fuels. Since fossil fuels produce carbon emissions while converting to electricity, it is important for PSE to transition to renewable energy sources and co-generation and phase out fossil fuels to achieve the City’s greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.

As PSE increases its renewable energy portfolio and use of co-generation, energy is conserved, efficiency is increased, and the carbon footprint is reduced. Cogeneration uses an otherwise unused byproduct of fossil fuel electricity generation to become a useful commodity by capturing heat that is generated while producing electricity to supply hot water, steam, space heating and cooling.

Policy U-7.4: Promote the use of small to large scale renewable energy production facilities.

The City should promote solar energy to generate electricity and heating for residential and commercial development. Wind turbines and other types of emerging technologies, such as digesters that divert and break down organic waste to produce energy, should also be encouraged. The City must balance the goal of increasing renewable energy with aesthetic concerns and tree preservation objectives.

Solar house

Policy U-7.5: Require new and, where feasible, existing electrical distribution lines in the right-of-way to be underground.

Electrical distribution lines, often located in the public rights-of-way, carry electricity to homes and businesses throughout Kirkland. Electrical service is provided to private property by service lines connecting to these power lines. Electric distribution lines are located both above and below ground throughout Kirkland. In more recent development areas systems are typically underground.

Undergrounding of electrical distribution lines can reduce the potential for power outages associated with wind damage, eliminate or reduce the need for pruning vegetation, and enhance views.

Policy U-7.6: Screen above ground equipment cabinets and other structures associated with electrical distribution without hindering access as required by the provider.

Landscaping or other techniques to screen these structures will generally soften their appearance so that they fit in with the surroundings.

Policy U-7.7: Require siting analysis in the development review process for new and expanded electrical transmission and substation facilities to address land use and sensitive areas and provide mitigation to minimize visual and environmental impacts.

Electrical transmission lines are located within corridors in public rights-of-way or within utility easements. Existing transmission lines in Kirkland are above ground. Electric substations are located on private property owned by the utility. The additional cost to underground PSE’s electrical transmission lines is regulated by the WUTC and borne by the entity requesting the undergrounding. New or expanded aerial transmission lines should be sited and designed to minimize impacts to critical areas, preserve trees, and reduce visual impacts, especially where views of Lake Washington, the Olympic Mountains and view corridors are affected. Transmission lines should be sited to minimize impacts on schools and residential areas.

In addition, while the impacts of exposure to electric and magnetic fields (EMF) on health remains a question, minimizing potential risk is appropriate. Accepted low-cost methods should be considered to reduce exposure without unduly burdening the utility provider. The City should be involved with regional or statewide agencies when and if they develop policies regarding exposure to EMF. Periodic review of the state of scientific research on EMF may warrant changes to policies.

Coordination

Goal U-8: Facilitate the development and maintenance of non-City-managed utilities at the appropriate levels of service.

Policy U-8.1: Work with non-City-managed utilities and review facility plans to ensure that they reflect and support Kirkland’s land use plan. Likewise, the City should work with providers to ensure that utilities are available to support land uses and to maintain appropriate levels of service.

This policy is intended to ensure that non-City providers are in compliance with the City’s Comprehensive Plan as mandated by the Growth Management Act. This systematic planning allows the City to make accurate land use projections based on utility plans and allows utility providers to plan for utilities in a manner that reflects expected land use patterns and densities.

Policy U-8.2: Coordinate with non-City providers of water and sewer on a joint program for maintaining adopted levels of service, concurrency requirements, funding, and construction of shared public facilities.

Under the provisions of this Comprehensive Plan, the City is establishing specific utility requirements for itself and utilities serving the Kirkland area consistent with the requirements of the Growth Management Act.

Policy U-8.3: Coordinate with the appropriate utility provider when considering land use decisions in the vicinity of proposed facility locations to ensure land use compatibility.

Working with utilities in advance of key land use decisions has the potential to eliminate potential conflicts and ensure that utility considerations are factored into the development review process.

Policy U-8.4: Provide timely and effective notice to utilities of the construction, maintenance, or repair of streets, roads, or other facilities and coordinate such work with the serving utilities.

Timely information about capital improvement plans provides utilities the opportunity to coordinate construction projects with City projects. This has two distinct advantages: it could save the utility money by reducing construction expenditures and it can help the City to avoid multiple roadcuts for various utility installations.

Policy U-8.5: Encourage the consolidation of special districts.

Obtaining urban services from cities, and encouraging special service districts, including sewer, water, and fire districts, to consolidate or dissolve as a result, advances the Growth Management, regional and county wide vision for municipalities to be the primary providers of urban services. Services should be provided in an efficient, environmentally sensitive, timely, and cost-effective manner.

Policy U-8.6: Coordinate emergency response for utility disaster recovery.

During disasters, effective incident coordination between utility providers and emergency management is imperative. Plans should include provisions for mitigating impact of collapsed electrical poles and towers, pipeline failures of all kinds (water, sewer, petroleum), for restoration of service as quickly as possible, and for the Citywide implementation of emergency management plans.