NE Lacey resident raises concerns about truck traffic; comments cut short on gas station
One person spoke during public comment at Lacey City Council on Thursday, raising concerns about truck traffic in a northeast area of the city.
But she didn’t get far after her comments veered into a land-use proposal known as Meridian Market and Gas. That’s when Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder cut her off.
“Just nothing that’s coming before council,” said Ryder, redirecting her public comment.
Chris Porrazzo, who said after the council meeting that she met with city officials in October, praised them for being receptive to the truck traffic problem and for sending out brochures to area businesses about truck traffic.
But it’s not enough, she said.
“We still have a big issue,” she told the council. “It’s not a safe situation whatsoever. The whole area is very dangerous.”
One area of concern is Willamette Drive at Campus Glen Drive, not far from Salish Middle School. Truck traffic is common in northeast Lacey because the area is known for its light-industrial warehouse development.
Porrazzo was about to mention the added traffic a gas station would bring to the area, but that’s when Ryder cut her short.
His decision was somewhat puzzling. Lacey allows public comment at City Council meetings, but only on topics that are not on the agenda. Meridian Market and Gas was not on Thursday’s agenda.
Ryder likely cut her off because of the quasi-judicial process the city adheres to when a land-use proposal is set to come before the hearings examiner. The council is asked not to discuss or hear public comment about the land-use cases in an effort to maintain the appearance of fairness.
Meridian Market and Gas, which would bring a convenience store and gas pumps to Willamette Drive and Campus Glen Drive, is set to be heard by the hearings examiner in early April.
But Porrazzo said she wasn’t asking the council for an opinion.
“I wanted them to discuss kids going home and going to school safely,” she said.
She added: “What is the harm in them listening?”
A section of Campus Glen Drive has a sign indicating trucks are not allowed, but some drivers ignore it, Porrazzo said.
“The signs don’t make a difference,” she said. “We need to change city code so that tickets can be written.”
This story was originally published March 4, 2022 at 5:30 AM.
