Artist’s rendering of proposed renovation to the fields at Big Finn Hill Park.

- Sign up for the project list serv to receive project updates via email. - Memorandum of Understanding-Big Finn Hill Park Field Conversion (PDF)

SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) Information Two SEPA appeals and 3 comment letters were received by the City regarding the environmental determination for the project.   The SEPA appeal hearing was held on February 15, 2012 at City Hall.  Additional information can be found on the Hearing Examiner's webpage under the February 15, 2012 agenda item.  On February 23, 2012 the Hearing Examiner affirmed the Determination of Nonsignificance with a modification requiring use of the sports field cease at 10:00 p.m. each evening until such time that compliance with Kirkland noise regulations can be confirmed.  The Hearing Examiner's decision can be viewed here.  The referenced exhibits can be viewed at City Hall, Planning Dept. under file APL12-00001. The City issued a Determination of Nonsignificance for the project on December 7, 2011.  Below is the staff memo and associated documents. Staff Memo Attachments 1 - Vicinity Map 2 - Aerial 3 - Wetland/Stream Map 4 - SEPA Checklist 5 - Project Plans 6 - County Responses to Public Comment 7 - Lighting Info 8 - Traffic Study 9 - Traffic Review by City 10 - Lighting Aerial 11 - Magnuson Park Noise Info Background Info - Synthetic Turf Studies UC Berkeley California EPA US EPA FieldTurf Brochure FieldTurf Study TurfTalk NY Dept. of Health Penn State REAC

- King County Dept. of Natural Resources & Parks - Kirkland Youth Lacrosse - Lake Washington Youth Soccer Association

Jon Regala Senior Planner E-mail 425-587-3255 (Main) 425-587-3232 (Fax)

Project Update
The City has received the grading permit for the field improvements from King County and is in the process of reviewing the permit prior to issuance.

In terms of the field use agreement between Kirkland Youth Lacrosse and King County, the use agreement is scheduled to be introduced and discussed at the King County Transportation, Economy, and Environment (TREE) Committee meeting on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 9:30 a.m.  Action on the use agreement may be taken at this meeting.  The use agreement is tentatively scheduled for public hearing and testimony with the full King County Council on Monday, April 30, 2012 at 1:30 p.m. 

You may view the County's meeting calendar at this link to confirm meeting dates, times, and locations.  You may also view associated meeting information and agendas as they become available.

Background Information
In early 2011, proposed field improvements to Big Finn Hill Park were initiated by the Kirkland Youth Lacrosse (KYL) through King County’s Community Partnerships and Grants (CPG) Program.  The County’s CPG Program allows for community-based organizations to plan, design, construct, and in some cases, operate and maintain public recreation facilities on King County land.  As part of the proposed renovation, KYL and Lake Washington Youth Soccer Association (LWYSA) applied to the County for a grading permit to renovate the existing grass soccer field by converting it to a synthetic turf field and installing field lights for evening use.  Big Finn Hill Park was annexed into the City in June 2011 and according to an Annexation Interlocal Agreement approved by Kirkland and King County prior to annexation, the completion of the environmental review and permitting will be handled by the City.  Details have been worked out in a Memorandum of Understanding recently signed by the City's Planning & Community Development Department and King County's Department of Natural Resources and Parks that provides additional specificity for the project.

The Annexation Interlocal Agreement provides that land use and other construction permits filed with King County prior to annexation (June 1, 2011) that have not been issued by the County will be completed by the City.   Additionally, the Agreement provides that King County will continue to own and maintain the Park and that the City will be the regulatory agency for any permits and will enforce park rules per City regulations.

In June 2011, DNRP issued a Notice of Application and Proposed Determination of Non-Significance for the Big Finn Hill Park Field Conversion.  Citizens provided comments to the County during the ensuing comment period.  The County is reviewing the comments and will forward the SEPA materials and grading permit to the City.  Ultimately, the City is responsible for issuing a SEPA determination and a grading permit, and providing all inspection services. The City anticipates issuing the SEPA determination later this fall and residents will have an opportunity to submit comments. 

Parallel to the environmental review and grading permit processes, DNRP, KYL and LWYSA are developing a “Use Agreement” that will require approval by the King County Council.  For more information on the Use Agreement contact TJ Davis, CPG Program Manager, at tj.davis@kingcounty.gov or 206-263-6214.