Residents opposed to Hicks Lake apartments lobby Lacey to expand Wanschers Park
Lacey residents opposed to a plan that would build more than 300 apartments on the west shore of Hicks Lake are now lobbying the city to consider purchasing the land and expanding nearby Wanschers Park.
Nearly 500 residents — 483 to be exact — have signed a petition and sent it to the city. Three of those residents addressed the council Thursday evening about their request.
A letter attached to the petition also was shared with The Olympian.
“The attached petition represents the many residents who would like the city of Lacey to consider purchasing the two adjacent, five-acre-forested parcels, identified as Parcel “A” 2712 Hazelwood LN SE, and Parcel “B,” 2801 Hazelwood LN SE,” the letter reads.
The two parcels they identify are slated for apartment development. Wanschers Park is located just north of them.
Residents Janet Ikeda, Scott Goddard and Susan Cooksey, all of whom have previously criticized the development proposals, attended Thursday’s meeting and addressed the council during public comment.
Before they spoke, Lacey Mayor Andy Ryder reminded them they were free to speak so long as “it’s not something quasi-judicial.”
Ryder issued that reminder because the two apartment proposals have already come before the city’s hearings examiner, which is the one time for the public to comment before the examiner makes a recommendation.
Once the open record hearing is closed, the city does not want there to be any “ex parte” communication between residents and the council to maintain the appearance of fairness in the decision-making process.
The city provided some additional clarification of the policy in Thursday’s meeting agenda materials.
“The Washington state Appearance of Fairness Doctrine is a rule of law, which requires government decision-makers to conduct non-court hearings and proceedings in a manner that is fair and unbiased in both appearance and fact. The doctrine prohibits any decision making body acting in a quasi-judicial role from ex-parte (off the record) contact,” the materials read.
Lacey resident Goddard very carefully worded his comments to the council.
He urged them to expand the park because it would be a “celebration of trees and water.”
It also would establish the legacy of the council, he said. Goddard asked each council member to think about the city 20 years from now and what it would mean to have a larger Wanschers Park with mature forests, leading visitors to the water’s edge and providing them with a view of Mount Rainier.
Goddard also imagined what a family might say 20 years from now.
“’Wow, can you believe in the middle of this big city we have this asset? How lucky are we? I wonder who made this happen?’” said Goddard.
He reminded the council that this could be their legacy.
“Carpe diem,” he said.
This story was originally published July 22, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
