SHORELINE — An 8.61-acre parcel on the south end of Echo Lake will be rezoned to accommodate retail after garnering the approval of City Council members at the June 13 meeting.
The developer’s request for the property, located at 19250 Aurora Ave. N., was to change the land use designation from High Density Residential to Mixed Use development.
“It has been negotiated with staff, the Planning Commission and there have been a lot of responses to public comment,” City Manager Steve Burkett said. “I urge the Council to consider the process involved before making changes that may end up making the proposal not feasible.”
Previously, about 1.97 acres along Aurora Avenue was zoned Regional Business and about 6.64 acres to the east were zoned R-48, which allows for residential units, but no retail, and limits building height to 35 feet. The developing group, Echo Lake Associates, submitted a proposal to alter the zoning to Regional Business for Mixed Use development.
The Mixed Use development could consist of commercial uses including retail, offices, a potential YMCA, and would be limited to a maximum of 182,000 square feet of commercial space with 350 residential units and parking structures underneath buildings with as many as 1,125 parking stalls.
Before the rezone could move ahead, the Comprehensive Plan land use map had to be changed to a designation that supports the Regional Business zone. At the April 21 city Planning Commission meeting, members voted to recommend the approval of the change.
Council member Maggie Fimia proposed several amendments, which failed. She wanted more protection for trees on the property, to provide affordable housing, and to unconditionally preserve the Weiman House, the 1920s home of a pioneer family.
“Nothing is set by the developer at this time,” Fimia said. “We can’t rubber stamp what the Planning Commission and staff recommend.”
Mayor Ron Hansen approved of the contract, without any additional changes.
“This agreement has been hammered out for a long time with the developer,” Hansen said. “I don’t think more constraints are fair.”
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