Lacey OKs permit for development near North Thurston High, but process is again questioned
The Lacey City Council on Thursday approved a hearings examiner’s recommendation for a new church, gym and coffee shop near North Thurston High School, but a resident again called into question the process leading up to the vote.
The permitting process, if it involves a hearings examiner, is considered quasi-judicial, meaning there are certain things elected officials can’t do so they maintain fairness.
It’s become a sore point in recent months because some residents have become frustrated that their concerns aren’t able to influence decisions. That was particularly the case with those who wanted to weigh in on Meridian Market & Gas, the controversial convenience store and gas station proposed in northeast Lacey, across from Meridian Neighborhood Park.
Residents were free to comment on Meridian Market during the hearings examiner hearing before the council action, but not when the council voted on the development. That prompted some heated moments during the June council meeting.
Thursday’s meeting wasn’t nearly as emotional.
Before the council was a hearings examiner’s recommendation to approve a conditional use permit for a 10,800-square-foot City Life Church and related gym at 4200 Sixth Avenue Northeast, across from North Thurston High School.
The church property is part of the Bradley Park subdivision, a D.R. Horton housing development at Sleater-Kinney Road and 15th Avenue Northeast. The church also will have a coffee shop. Land already has been cleared in the area.
To ensure the appearance of fairness, City Attorney Dave Schneider, just as he did for Meridian Market & Gas, once again questioned the council in three ways: whether they had any personal interests that would prevent them from acting fairly, whether they had communicated with any proponents or opponents of the proposal, and finally, whether there was any reason they couldn’t act in a fair and impartial manner.
The council ultimately voted unanimously to approve the permit. However, before Mayor Andy Ryder could move on to the next agenda item, resident Lynne Dearing stood to address the council.
“I don’t understand why a city council — elected representatives — can’t listen to both sides of the issue,” said Dearing, calling it “very troublesome.”
Dearing didn’t speak for long because Ryder asked her to speak privately with City Attorney Schneider.
This story was originally published July 22, 2022 at 5:15 AM.
