Controversial decisions spur Lacey to look closer at changing its land-use laws

Following two recent controversial decisions that allowed the Meridian Gas Station and Hicks Lake housing projects to proceed, the Lacey City Council discussed its role in the quasi-judicial process they use when approving land use permits.

In the council’s work session yesterday, Lacey Community and Economic Development Director Rick Walk briefed the council on the history of the Neighborhood Commercial designation, applicable Comprehensive Plan policies, and implementation codes as he provided an overview of the neighborhood commercial sites within the city.

"This is a very important topic. As you know, we have gone through land use processes over the past years, there have been several cases before the council, and there have been a lot of challenges," said Walk.

In a quasi-judicial process, the council's decision are to be based solely on the record submitted by the hearing examiner, Walk explained. Council members are not allowed to discuss the proposal with the public or the project's proponents before the decision.

Despite this, councilmember Robin Vasquez posted her opinions about the Meridian Gas Station issue on her Facebook page after the council’s decision.

Walk said the council discussions on the quasi-judicial process for the past decade mainly focused on liability traps for deciding council members.

In a previous meeting of the Lacey Planning Commission, Planning Manager Ryan Andrews said the existing Neighborhood Commercial zoning district was established in 1980. Since then, only minimal updates have been made.

"We have done small tweaks and updates but no real whole big change since the 1980s," said Andrews. "We haven't really taken a deep dive into it."

Walk added that if the council wants significant changes to this process, staff should work on amending The Lacey Municipal Code on Neighborhood Commercial Designations and Implementation. The amendments should come before a public hearing, and then a council action shall be done in a regular meeting. Once the changes are approved, the city shall amend its contract with the Hearing Examiner.

In August, the Lacey City Council adopted the hearings examiner's recommendation to approve two proposed residential projects along Hicks Lake, which are planned to include more than 300 housing units, in front of residents who brought placards to express their opposition.

In June, the Lacey City Council approved the Meridian Gas Station through a quasi-judicial process amid overwhelming protests from the public.