Lacey considering updates to its neighborhood Zone rules following Meridian gas station decision

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Lacey is mulling updating its Municipal Code 16.36 related to the Neighborhood Commercial Zone following in the wake of the controversial Meridian Gas Station’s approval.

During the city’s August 2 Planning Commission meeting, Lacey Community and Economic Development (CED) Director Rick Walk said the city council directed the CED Department to begin amending the existing Neighborhood Commercial zoning district and standards.

“If we move forward with this review, this could set a template of how we review all the other zoning classifications moving forward,” said Walk.

As part of the amendment process, the Lacey Planning Commission would identify groups that should be engaged through the process both from the perspective of residents and property or business owners. 

Lacey Planning Manager Ryan Andrews said the existing Neighborhood Commercial zoning district was first established in 1980, and since then, only minimal updates have been done. 

“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.”

In June, the Lacey City Council approved the Meridian Gas Station through a quasi-judicial process amid protests from the public. A day after the meeting, Councilmember Robin Vazquez took to social media to express anger towards the process, explaining that she needs to follow the law, that is why she voted in favor of it even though she opposes the project.

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