MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — The Mountlake Terrace City Council on March 20 adopted a six-month moratorium on commercial card rooms in the city’s town center.
A moratorium, which took effect that day, will allow the community time to determine whether gambling establishments will fit with the community’s town center vision, according to the council. The council and community will create a town center plan later this year.
The vote was 5-2, with council members Michelle Angrick and Doug Wittinger dissenting.
A public hearing about the moratorium is set for 7 p.m. Monday, May 1, at city hall, 23204 58th Ave. SW, Mountlake Terrace.
The Mountlake Terrace town center is a business district located roughly between 228th Street SW on the north, 244th Street SW on the south, 55th Avenue on the east and 58th Avenue on the west.
Although there are no card rooms located in the town center area today, card rooms are permitted there under the city’s current zoning regulations. The moratorium prevents any person or business from receiving a license to operate a card room within the town center area for six months.
According to state law, cities must allow card rooms throughout the city or ban them completely. To date, there are three card rooms in Mountlake Terrace: The Silver Dollar, Crazy Moose Casino and the Red Dragon.
Moratoriums can be extended every six months if the city is making progress towards a final decision, according to state law. A council must convene a public hearing at least once before approving an extension.
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