The Freeway/Tourist Zoning Code for Mountlake Terrace will be considered for an update this fall. This code is the last of the city’s commercial district codes to be updated in recent years.

“The zoning code chapter for the Freeway/Tourist District has not had any significant review or changes for at least 15 years,” said Planning Commission Chair Alice Kier. “It’s time to take a look at it.”

The Freeway/Tourist District includes the Gateway Place commercial center and other nearby commercial properties, east of I-5 between 244th Street SW and 236th Street SW. This includes the Evergreen Elementary property.

A code update this fall would not change the boundaries of the District but could change some rules for land use. “Most likely, any changes would be fairly minor,” noted Chair Kier, “but we want to give people the chance to make suggestions and think about the future.”

On September 13, the Planning Commission will hold a work session on ideas for the code update. The ideas will be folded into a recommendation that the Planning Commission may make after a public hearing on October 27. Both meetings will start at 7:00 pm at the Interim City Hall Council Chambers, 6100 219th Street SW, in Mountlake Terrace.

A recommendation from the Planning Commission is expected to go to the City Council in October for consideration and a final decision.

Zoning codes guide development and land uses. Since the District is largely already developed, any changes to the code may not have much effect in the near future. The code could make a difference in later years if new buildings or land uses are proposed.

Interested people can sign up to be on an email list for information about the Freeway/Tourist Code update by calling the City’s Community and Economic Development Department at (425) 744-6266 or emailing llavoie@ci.mlt.wa.us.