City extends moratorium hearing

Interested parties who want to comment on the possibility of extending Mercer Island’s moratorium on downtown development can do so at the Nov. 16 City Council meeting.

The moratorium was established in February and amended in June to include what was known as the Hines project. Other Town Center property owners and developers have asked the Council for similar exemptions, including Leon Cohen and his Twenty Four Eleven/Freshy’s property and James Cassan and his idea for the “Hotel Mercer.” Pagliacci Pizza was exempted initially because the building will be less than two stories.

If renewed, the moratorium would begin on Dec. 16 and can last up to six months. The city is hoping that its Town Center visioning and code revision will have wrapped up by then.

Metro programs come to Island

Islanders can sign up for TripPool and Metro In Motion, two programs from King County Metro that encourage alternatives to driving alone.

With the TripPool pilot program, Islanders can get free reserved parking at the Park and Ride. TripPool uses Metro-provided commuter vans to make one round trip each workday to the Park and Ride. Volunteer drivers pick up and drop off registered riders. The trips are coordinated through the free iCarpool app.

Volunteer drivers must be at least 21, have a smartphone, and possess a WA driver’s license and clean driving record. Driver perks include: a free, reserved TripPool parking spot at the Park and Ride, use of a Metro minivan at no charge and an opportunity to earn extra RideShareOnline.com rewards. Metro pays for gas and maintenance. Call 206-635-4500 with questions.

You can also sign up on Metro’s website for Mercer Island In Motion.

The Island is about seven weeks into the 12-week program. So far, participants have logged 1,348 non-drive-alone trips, and six participants have won $25 gift cards to local businesses. Sign up at www.kingcounty.gov/inmotion and start earning rewards.