MOUNTLAKE TERRACE — Mayor Jerry Smith believes the city should allow seven story, “stair-step style” buildings in the town center’s core in order to attract new development.
With the extra height, building projects would be financially feasible for developers, Smith told the Mountlake Terrace Business Association on Oct. 18. Without the height, there is too much financial risk and nothing will be built.
“A lot of people do not know, unless you do this kind of thing, that the bank is going to want 20 percent up front,” Smith said, referring to financing requirements for such projects. “Developers have to pay for permits, dig out the basement and build it. Anybody with common sense knows that all costs money.”
The mayor said he prefers a “stairstep” style building. One example is a three-story, square building. The next level steps back with a patio before going up to another level. The buildings are also known as the wedding-cake style.
“We are not going to put straight up and down walls. We are going to stair step,” Smith said.
The mayor said his remarks to the business association are his own and do not reflect the will of the Council. The association invited Smith and city manager John Caulfield to talk about the town center.
The Council has not discussed or come close to voting on building heights because the plan isn’t ready yet, Smith said.
There are still several opportunities for people to influence the final plan because it is still being formulated, Caulfield said.
“The Council as a whole has not had the discussion on this because there is no proposal yet. It has not gone to the planning commission yet,” Caulfield said. “It would be premature to say the Council has a position on anything related to the Town Center other than they are anxious to adopt a plan by the end of the year and move the community forward.”
Two or more town center alternative plans will be unveiled for public review and comment at open houses at 7 p.m. Monday, Oct. 30, and Wednesday, Nov. 8, at City Hall.
In November, the planning commission will consider the plan and make a recommendation to the Council, which has a self-imposed deadline to adopt a plan by the end of the year.
Smith assured the business community that the Council has the political will to adopt a plan. It will not be shelved like previous downtown studies in recent years.
“It is not going to fail. There is a 5-2- vote to get something done,” Smith said.
A citizens group, Bears in the Terrace, are lobbying the Council to keep the existing three-story height limit in the town center. Taller buildings, the group argues, will attract too many people and too much traffic.
Residents presented a petition involving the town center to the City Council with about 900 signatures. The petition calls for three things:
• Retain a three-story height limit.
• Require adequate parking for new development.
• Require an open debate and public vote before funding a new City Hall.
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