Public hearing next week on non-conformance use standards

logo_mountlaketerrace-1-3A public hearing on proposed changes to the city’s non-conformance use standards will be continued in less than one week.

The city developed non-conforming use standards because of the Town Center plan approved by the council in 2007 – which includes developing new restaurants, stores, offices and housing. The development would all be in a 68-acre downtown zone.

Development standards apply to new buildings only, so existing buildings are deemed non-conforming, meaning there are city-imposed limits on how they can be developed. A list of the changes to the ordinance can be found here.

In December, several church members and officials spoke out against the standards, saying that it would tie their hands and make it “impossible for them to thrive.”

Local businesses also spoke out, saying the standards force owners to keep some buildings vacant after things like fire because it would be too expensive to fix it up in a way that meets the standard.

The public hearing on the issue will be held during the City Council meeting on Monday, March 7 at 7 p.m. in the Interim City Hall, located at 6100 219th St. SW., Ste. 200.

Before the hearing, council will review the ordinance on Thursday, March 3 in preparation for the hearing, though no action will be taken. You can read the full description of what will be discussed on Thursday here.

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