1. Overview

The Lakeview Neighborhood is bounded by Lake Washington on the west and the Cross Kirkland Corridor and the Central Houghton Neighborhood to the east (See Figure L-1, Land Use Map). Lake Washington Boulevard and Lakeview Drive provide north-south vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian connections from the SR 520 interchange to Downtown Kirkland and adjacent neighborhoods. The Yarrow Bay Business District serves as a southern gateway to the City.

The Marsh and Houghton Beach waterfront parks are recreational hubs for neighborhood residents and visitors, while Terrace Park serves as a neighborhood park. Yarrow Bay wetlands with its lush tree canopy functions as a pristine wetland and stream system and provides critical wildlife habitat while serving as a sanctuary from surrounding urban development.

Land uses within the neighborhood consist of low to medium residential densities, offices and neighborhood oriented businesses. Carillon Point is an important employment center and regional tourism draw with its mix of offices, retail, hotel, restaurants, housing and marina on the shores of Lake Washington. The Yarrow Bay Business District contains large office parks with limited services for businesses and freeway travelers.

The policy direction for the waterfront is established in the Shoreline Area Chapter of the Comprehensive Plan. The thrust of those shoreline policies is to maintain residential uses, permit water-dependent commercial uses where commercial uses presently exist, and place a high priority on public access to the water either through park acquisition or pedestrian easements.