Board cuts retail space from Lacey subdivision

Plan to include businesses upset nearby residents

LIONA TANNESEN THE OLYMPIAN

LACEY -- A South Sound developer's plan to build 385 homes near College Street will head to the City Council -- with one change.

Gemini Corp. asked the city to rezone the 71-acre property from village center to low- and moderate-density homes, open space and neighborhood commercial.

The Lacey Planning Commission recommended at its Tuesday meeting that the City Council approve the request to rezone the property -- minus the 3.5-acre neighborhood commercial portion.

Housing added

The planning commission replaced the neighborhood commercial area with moderate-density housing in its recommendation to the City Council.

The City Council can accept, reject or modify the planning commission's recommendation.

"I think neighborhood commercial is out of character for that part of the area," said Commissioner Aldo Melchiori. "I was just walking through there this morning."

Commissioner Bruce Bentson was concerned that neighborhood commercial use did not meet one of the city's policies.

The policy says commercial use should not be allowed on land south of Lacey Boulevard on College Street and Ruddell Road in order to prevent congestion with commercial traffic.

City senior planner Joyce Phillips said the city policy does not prohibit the commercial use because it says "should not" rather than "shall not."

Although commissioner Kathleen Rooney voted for the recommendation that went to Council, she said she has reservations about traffic.

"These cars are not just in that area," Rooney said. "They will come to the central area. Traffic is just horrendous."

The neighborhood commercial zoning and traffic were among the concerns of 12 people who testified at a hearing earlier this month.

Most were residents of the Avonlea and Lexington subdivisions, which adjoin the land Gemini wants to develop between 39th and 49th avenues.

Other concerns included the loss of a wooded area and stormwater drainage.

After the hearing, the city received 23 letters in favor of rezoning the property, Phillips said.

The village center zoning is designed to include high-density housing -- apartments -- among green spaces, businesses and pedestrian paths.

"I guess the bottom line is what happened is good for the community," said Rob Rice, the vice president of Gemini Corp.

However, the change from neighborhood commercial zoning to moderate-density housing was frustrating, Rice said.

On the Web:

- City of Lacey

- Gemini Corporation

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