Lacey places requirements on developer of controversial gas station near Meridian park
Lacey on Friday issued an environmental decision regarding a proposed convenience store with gas pumps that has alarmed residents in the northeast area of the city.
The city issued a “mitigated determination of non-significance.” What that means is, the city will not require an Environmental Impact Statement for the project, but it is requiring the developer to take some steps to mitigate the impact of new business.
Northwest Investors LLC of Federal Way has proposed a 4,000-square-foot convenience market with 1,000 square feet of general office space and four fueling islands, as well as an additional 4,000 square feet of commercial/retail space.
The project has been proposed at 8808 Campus Glen Drive NE, which is across from Meridian Neighborhood Park.
Among the steps the developer must take:
▪ Pay traffic impact fees of nearly $30,000 to mitigate impacts to Thurston County roads.
▪ Prior to site work, the soils must be sampled and analyzed for arsenic and lead. The soil sampling results shall be sent to the state Department of Ecology for review.
▪ If soils are found to be contaminated with arsenic, lead or other contaminants, extra precautions must be taken to avoid escaping dust, soil erosion, and water pollution during grading and site construction. Site design must include protective measures to isolate or remove contaminated soils from public spaces, yards, and children’s play areas.
Those measures are unlikely to placate residents who oppose the entire project, particularly the gas pumps.
Residents have protested at the proposed site, spoken out before Lacey officials and sent letters to The Olympian about their opposition to the project.
“This business is inappropriate for any neighborhood,” said resident Cheryl Ricevuto in her letter.
“We don’t want it moved to someone else’s backyard. No other city parks have gas stations so close to them. Many gas stations and mini-marts already exist on nearby Marvin Road and Martin Way. Once in a car, taking a few extra minutes to reach them is worth the safety of our neighborhood and our children.”
The city’s determination can be appealed. The deadline is 5 p.m. April 1.
