The Bonney Lake city council this past week tabled for further discussion a resolution designed to address buffer zones between residential and commercial zones.

The decision to table the ordinance came after a member of the Master Builders Association of Pierce County addressed the council with their group’s concerns about the burden it would place on residential homebuilders instead of commercial developers.

If approved, the ordinance would amend the city’s code to add that residential buildings built within 500 feet of a commercial zone be designed so that “to the extent feasible” windows, doors and outdoor living spaces be “minimized” on the sides of buildings facing the commercial zones. In addition, and again “to the extent feasible,” air conditioning units be placed on the side of the building adjacent to the commercial zone.

“It is unclear why Bonney Lake would consider this approach rather than considering increased buffer or fencing requirements for commercial areas adjacent to residential zones, which is the generally accepted regulatory approach when it comes to impacts that are being caused by the commercial use,” MBA Government Affairs Associate Shawn Hooey said In a May 19 letter addressed to the mayor and council, which he reiterated at the May 24 meeting.

“Placing these unusual and limiting restrictions upon the residential development community will further deter developers from the city of Bonney Lake and may well result in an unattractive residential construction project,” he continued.

Hooey also questioned how the city arrived at a buffer size of 500 feet, calling it a “substantial amount of land.”

The resolution also includes restrictions on lights and noise of new commercial developments to protect nearby residential homes from their effects.

Mayor Neil Johnson agreed with Hooey.

“I think the onus needs to be put on commercial on these things,” Johnson said, after admitting he rarely agrees with the MBA.

Councilmember Laurie Carter said the reason the design guidelines were placed on the residential side of the line instead of the commercial side is because most commercial lands are already developed and the city can’t force the owners to retrofit their projects to further protect residential, making residential developers the only ones capable of adding the protections.

The measure was tabled unanimously and will be addressed again at the June 7 workshop meeting.