MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — The Melody Hill study, which is supposed to guide the neighborhood’s future, will go forward even though some residents are worried about the outcome, the Mountlake Terrace Council decided on Monday.
Councilman Doug Wittinger and Councilwoman Angela Amundson tried to persuade their peers to stop the $90,000 study after residents raised concerns about a six-acre school property, located at 6205 222nd St. SW. Neighbors objected to any discussion of redeveloping the school site for office, retail or commercial buildings.
The entire Melody Hill neighborhood, which is roughly west of Interstate 5 and north of 224th is being examined for the 20-year proposed plan, not just the school, city staff noted. City workers and consultants, who solicited recommendations from residents in June, will also address transportation, recreation and city services in addition to land-use issues in the plan.
Mayor Jerry Smith, Mayor Pro-Tem Michelle Robles and Councilman John Zambrano voted against stopping the project in a 3-to-2 vote. Councilman Zambrano said he was not afraid to see the results of the study and then make a decision.
Councilwomen Laura Sonmore and Jamie Gravelle were absent during Monday’s council meeting.
Residents will have more opportunities this fall to scrutinize the proposed 20-year plan for the Melody Hill neighborhood before it is presented to the Council in early 2006, according to city planner Shane Hope. City employees are working with ABHL of Seattle, who is conducting the study.
“We will be looking at a broad range of issues,” Hope said. “The council ultimately will decide to adopt the draft plan once it is prepared or make changes as they feel is appropriate.”
The city will host public workshops in October to discuss the proposed 20-year plan, which has yet to be drafted. The dates will be announced at a later date.
In a 4-to-2 vote, last March, the council approved the $90,000 study in March as part of the effort to update the city’s comprehensive plan. Amundson and Wittinger voted “no.”
The Melody Hill neighborhood that is being considered contains a majority of the city’s businesses as well as private residences. There are no city parks, Hope said.
Edmonds Community College has leased the Melody Hill site since 1983. The location houses part of the college’s Family Life Education Department — namely, the Mountlake Terrace Parent Cooperative Preschool and the Childcare Providers Preschool Cooperative.
Neighbors Shirley Malloy, Carl Huff and Mary Whalen presented a petition to the Council in late July with signatures from at least 100 of the roughly 140 residents near the school. The residents want single family houses or condominiums, but not offices or retail shops, Malloy said. Malloy told the Council the neighbors will continue their fight if necessary.
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