The Eastown Steering Committee is recommending the city change the vision for the area from a pedestrian-friendly environment to a more retail-friendly environment.
Among the changes are removing references in the Eastown Sub-Area Plan to Eastown being a “Town Center,” so as not to confuse the region with the city’s pedestrian-friendly Downtown plan.
The committee also recommended removing language that encourages buildings to be placed against the right-of-way and language that encourages main pedestrian entrances on the sidewalk.
Changes were also made to light and drive-thru standards and a line requiring the northeastern-most property owner provide an easement for a sign as a “gateway” to the city.
Originally passed by the city council in 2005, the Eastown Area Sub-PLan called for the area between 214th Avenue East and 234th Avenue East to become a walkable retail center.
Recently, however, councilmembers have felt the plan was too similar to the at of Downtown, which is also designed to be a pedestrian-friendly environment with mixed use buildings and open plazas.
To make the changes, the council in March created the Eastown Steering Committee through a resolution, instructing the committee meet with stakeholders and produce an updated plan.
Led by Councilmember Randy McKibbin, the committee included Councilmemebr Donn Lewis, Planning Commission Chairperson Grant Sulham, Design Commission Chairperson Debbie Strous-Boyd, two Eastown property owners, one non-Eastown property owner and Community Development Director John Vodopich.
The group met May 26 at an open house. According to Stinson, approximately 10 – 12 citizens attended and shared with the committee their thoughts in what was described as an “open discussion.”
While many of the citizens came hoping to discuss the city’s plan to add sewers to the area, Stinson and Lewis both said the discussion was steered away from sewers, which were not included as a topic in the resolution creating the steering committee.
“This wasn’t about sewers,” Lewis said. “This wasn’t about anything in particular.”
Lewis said he was among the councilmembers who thought the 2005 Eastown plan was too similar to that for Downtown and hopes moving forward the new vision replaces that plan.
The steering committee recommendations will now move to the planning commission for review and other possible changes. The planning commission will also host a public hearing on the matter.
It may not be entirely smooth sailing through the planning commission, however, as at least two commissioners expressed their disapproval of the changes during the June 1 planning commission meeting when the draft recommendations were first presented to them.
Commissioner Winona Jacobsen said she felt it was wrong to rid the area of its pedestrian-friendly environment.
“That’s what we’re trying to foster in the city; more pedestrian access to things,” Jacobsen said.
Jacobsen also said the city should not be developer-driven and added that the idea was to not have a “sea of cars” between the highway and the retail shops.
Commissioner Katrina Minton also said the changes to the design standards render the Eastown plan a “Meaningless document.”
“There’s no reason to have an Eastown plan if that’s what it is,” she said.
Following planning commission review, the recommendations will move to the city council, who will have final say on the adoption of changes to the Eastown Sub-Area Plan.
