The Planning Commissioners wanted more time for the city to consider the proposal and the economic ramifications, especially the potential impact on local small businesses by the presence of a Fred Meyer.
MJB's proposal calls for a rezone to allow a 100,000 square foot building on R Ave. between 24th & 28th streets. The property has been vacant for years.
But, at least two of the Commissioners favored reviewing the proposal over the next few weeks, while others led by Sheri Muntean, felt they wouldn’t be able to get the information they need so quickly.
Outgoing Commission Chair Lin Folsom suggested the city needs more time. ”I hate to see an opportunity lost…this could go out to the reservation. But, I also want us to look at the whole city and implications of what we’re talking about,” she said.
Folsom alluded to a statement made earlier at another meeting where an MJB representative said that Fred Meyer really wants to be in Anacortes and that if this rezone doesn’t fly, they will look at their second-choice of space, which is on Swinomish Tribal land.
Outgoing Commissioner Johnny Archibald (he’s been elected to the City Council) said he’d like to see an extended discussion, but said moving it to 2016 Comp Plan update is “just too far away.” He urged the Commission to continue discussing the issue, rather than dismissing it for a later date.
Muntean wanted an economic study done, but city Planning Director Ryan Larsen said a study could take months. So, she proposed scheduling it for review as part of the city’s 2016 Comprehensive Plan update.
Commissioner Marty Laumbattus called the proposal “a major, major change,” adding, “I’d hate to see a knee-jerk reaction to what we fear might happen without having all the information we need.”
Only Commissioners Laurie Gere and Johnny Archibald voted to continue the public hearing and hold further discussions, but that failed 4-to-2. Later, the Commission voted 6-0 to recommend the City Council send the rezone request to the 2016 Comp Plan update.
Jack Jones, with MJB Properties, declined to comment following the meeting.
Larsen said he hopes to get the matter to City Council for its Dec. 2 meeting.