The future of two Hicks Lake apartment projects will be decided this week in Lacey
Plans to build two new apartment complexes more than 300 units to the west shore of Hicks Lake will finally come before Lacey City Council this week.
The seven-member council will have to decide whether to approve the permits tied to those projects. The hearings examiner already has recommended approval of both projects, despite overwhelming opposition to them.
Now, is the council about to repeat of what happened with the controversial Meridian Market & Gas proposal in northeast Lacey?
When that hearings examiner recommendation came before the council in early June, council members were confronted by residents long opposed to the convenience store and gas station proposed across from a park. Residents wore the color orange to show solidarity and were frustrated by the restrained, quasi-judicial hearings examiner process.
That process, which will also play out this Thursday, does not allow public comment at the time of the council vote, wanting to prevent what is known as “ex parte” communication so that the appearance of fairness is maintained. The city attorney is also likely to question the council about whether they can vote in a fair and impartial manner. If not, a council member might be asked to recuse themselves from voting.
Deputy Mayor Malcolm Miller was asked to leave during the Meridian Market & Gas vote.
Residents have been actively opposing the Hick Lake apartments, submitting comments and petitions, organizing a protest and hiring an attorney in an effort to share their displeasure and concern about what they feel the developments will do. They have raised concerns about impacts to the forest, the lake, wildlife, traffic, the nearby school and other quality of life issues.
Resident Lynne Dearing, who is opposed to the developments, said Friday that a group of people is expected to demonstrate before the council meeting on Thursday. They also plan to wear green in a show of solidarity, she said.
Dearing said she has gone swimming eight or nine times in Hicks Lake the past couple of weeks. “I go by the forest and it makes me sad,” she said. “I wish there was something more I could do.”
Lacey City Council will meet at 6 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 18, at City Hall, 420 College St. SE.
This story was originally published August 14, 2022 at 5:00 AM.
