Nod given to religious institutions, schools and clubs in Comp. Plan

Published 4:56 pm Monday, November 24, 2008

By Wendy Giroux

The role of religious institutions, schools and clubs will be acknowledged in the city’s Comprehensive Plan, the City Council decided last week.

Council members held a public hearing and discussed numerous proposed amendments to the plan. Nine people spoke during the public hearing, including several developers and builders.

Several people spoke in favor of adding language supporting cottage housing, which calls for a number of smaller homes surrounding a shared courtyard on a lot that might typically hold just one larger home. Two residents asked the council to either change a section about public involvement or to do more to get the public involved in the process.

Emmanuel Episcopal Rector Randal Gardner asked the council to add language acknowledging religious institutions on the Island.

“The churches are in a unique place because we do not pay taxes,” Gardner said, noting that all the churches provide other types of benefits to the community aside from being places of worship. For example, he said, Patti’s Play Center moved into Emmanuel when construction began at the community center and pays a low rent of $650 per month for 1,500 square feet, utilities and janitorial service. Emmanuel is also a meeting place for numerous other groups such as the Boy Scouts, Alcoholics Anonymous, the School District and Youth Theatre Northwest.

“I hope you will find a way to include churches on a par with homeowners,” he said.

Councilman El Jahncke, who originally proposed adding language about religious institutions, clubs and schools, said that someone brought it to his attention that the groups were not mentioned in the Comprehensive plan.

“To borrow two of (Councilman Jim) Pearman’s favorite words, they’re important parts of the fabric and texture of our community,” Jahncke said.

The councilmembers reached a consensus on adding several statements to the effect of “Mercer Island is principally a single-family residential community, supported by healthy schools, religious institutions and recreational clubs.” However, the council decided not to include a proposal that spoke to redeveloping and expansion.

“It’s more, more, more. We’ve gotta have more gyms, more fields … ” Mayor Alan Merkle said. “I don’t think we should set a policy that says we must allow expansion.”

The council also decided to add language to acknowledge the role of vehicles in Island transportation and language about private property rights to balance protection of the natural environment.

After discussing cottage housing, the council decided to add language allowing for consideration of a pilot project on the Island. If that idea were to go forward, it would have to go through all the typical design review processes.

Other proposed changes include:

? Technical edits, such as new housing and job targets, growth and traffic forecasts and planned improvements.

? New and revised policies about transportation concurrency, economic development, parks and open space, environment, housing choice and affordability and essential public facilities. Examples include a new economic development element, the addition of policies about parks and open space and more specific environmental policies.

The council is scheduled to further discuss and formally approve changes to the Comprehensive Plan during its next meeting at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 7, in the council chambers at City Hall, 9611 S.E. 36th St. No public hearing is scheduled, but citizens may always address the council during the “appearances” portion at the beginning of each meeting.

Copies of the draft amendments to the Comprehensive Plan are available on the city’s Web site at www.ci.mercer-island.wa.us/compplan or paper copies can be reviewed for free or purchased for $12 at the customer service counter at City Hall, 9611 S.E. 36th St.