MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — The Planning Commission Monday, Aug. 13 recommended a package of ordinances that set the stage for implementation of the Town Center plan.

Those ordinances include specific recommendations for charging developers “impact fees” to make up for the effects develoment is expected to have on traffic and to help offset the cost of a new downtown park plaza estimated to cost $3.8 million.

Next, the City Council will review the recommendations in a series of public hearings at 7 p.m. Monday, Aug. 20 at City Hall.

The council last February adopted the Town Center plan, which envisions a revitilized city center with a mix of retail, housing and offices coming in over the next 18 years.

Before development can proceed, however, the council has to approve new zoning regulations for the planned downtown redevelopment along 56th Avenue West from 244th Street Southwest to 228th Street Southwest.

More than 20 residents and business owners signed up to address the council during public hearings.

Several speakers questioned why the council agreed to a maximum height limit of seven-stories for buildings inside a planned super block off of 56th Avenue West between 232nd and 234th Streets Southwest.

“Mountlake Terrace needs something, anything,” said resident Shelly Dixon. But “seven stories is considerably high for that small area.”

Resident Joyce Barry said she’s noticed a lot of vacant commercial office space city-wide and wonders whether Town Center could attract business.

“Build it and they will come?” she asked. “It might work for baseball, but it’s not going to work here.”

Jeff Crandall said he understands neighbor’s concerns about 7-story buildings. But, he said, the city’s zoning allows 3-story high buildings now and that’s “not working.”

He said developers “get a bad rap but I applaud people who are willing to invest in our community.”

Ron Green, a resident of 58th Avenue West, said his family was drawn to Mountlake Terace 12 years ago because of its “sense of community.” He said he’s worried that Town Center, as its planned now, would turn downtown into a “concrete jungle, like Lynnwood or Shoreline.”

Longtime resident Peter Evans, Jr., another resident of 58th Avenue West, said it’s time for a part of the city to redevelop.

“In the long run, I think we need this development in order for the city to be rejuvenated.”