Construction of a new food bank and worship center at the Church of the Nazarene can proceed with a few changes, the Lynnwood City Council decided Monday.
The council directed city staff and church leaders to find a way —- probably signs — to direct food bank drivers to the church’s western entrance. The move would steer traffic away from the Kingsbury West Mobile Home Park, which is east of the church.
The council did not do enough to mitigate traffic and noise, according to Jeffrey Palmer, the mobile home park manager who filed an appeal against the project.
“We are disappointed about the outcome of the appeal,” Palmer said.
When asked if he will pursue the issue, Palmer said the mobile park owner hasn’t decided yet.
The Lynnwood Food Bank will start clearing space for the 4,368-square-foot food bank later this month.
“We still have to follow all of the same procedures, fill out the permit applications and have everything reviewed by the (city’s) planning department,” said Ken Peirce, the food bank’s construction coordinator.
The Church of the Nazarene, where the food bank is located, also requested a height variance for a new 14,690-square-foot worship center, which is included in the development plans. Construction for the worship center could start next summer.
The council gave unanimous support for the development, but council members Don Gough and Lisa Utter wanted to uphold the mobile home park appeal. In particular, Gough and Utter believe the city could have required a wider buffer between the church buildings and their neighbors. Buffers are typically filled with plants or fences to absorb noise and obscure activity.
“I thought there was a valid issue,” Utter said.
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