The Black Diamond City Council has taken a major step toward allowing two large developments to move forward in the city.

The council approved an ordinance at its June 18 meeting lifting a moratorium on applications for master plan developments. The moratorium has been in place for 10 years.

According to Steve Pilcher, community development director, the council wanted the building and design standards in place before the moratorium was lifted.

Yarrow Bay has two developments ready to begin. With the moratorium removed, the city staff will begin processing the applications.

According to staff, the two developments total about 6,000 residential dwellings and 1.5 million square feet of office and commercial space.

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