LAKE FOREST PARK —The Lake Forest Park City Council continues deliberation over the wording of an ordinance that, if approved, would allow the Lake City Elks to build senior housing on land they own at NE 145 and 147th streets, including where several single-family homes are located in the Gateway neighborhood.
The Council has been deliberating since Jan. 13.
At its June 26 meeting the Council entertained a recommendation by the city’s Parks and Recreation Commission to require the Elks build an active playground and public park on some of the land, but ultimately voted down the idea by a 4-3 margin.
Neighbors of the property made several proposed amendments, with setback being a key issue. Neighbors say they are concerned with the impact a three-story building might have on the character of the neighborhood.
The Council agreed that more setback was necessary and voted to require the building be built 40 feet away from abutting property lines rather than the planning commission’s recommendation for an average of 40 feet but a minimum of 25 feet away.
An amendment was suggested that would limit access from the Elks property onto NE 147th Street, as a gated access for emergency vehicle use only.
But in a staff memo to the Council, Planning and Development manager Ty Peterson countered the idea.
“Northshore Fire Department does have an electronic device that could open gates, however, private ambulatory service providers do not have such a device and neither does the City Police or emergency response staff. Furthermore, an electronic device that may allow access may hinder with exiting the site in an emergency,” the memo stated.
The issue of limiting access to NE 147th Street was tabled.
The Council could take a vote on the final overlay ordinance as early as its next meeting, which is scheduled for July 10.
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