When Sumner Mayor Dave Enslow asked City Clerk Terri Berry to read an ordinance about amendments to the Manufacturing and Industrial Center overlay during the May 17 regular meeting of the Sumner City Council, she resonded enthusiastically.

“There is nothing I would rather do right now,” Berry said.

Discussion on the matter lasted more than three hours during the council meeting and capped off months of debate, discussion and confusion. Amendments to an ordinance passed in October passed 5-2.

That ordinance designated a portion of Sumner as a Manufacturing and Industrial Center, which proponents of say will allow Sumner to receive more funds which would pay for road improvements.

At a May 10 study session members of the public addressed council about concerns they had over the MIC overlay. Council planned to adopt amendments to the ordinance at the meeting, but in the wake of public concern and the public’s request to receive more information, a special meeting was slated for May 15 and the amendments were tabled.

Amendments specify the allowable types and locations of retail business and types of indoor commercial recreation allowed.

The special meeting resulted in a number of amendments being proposed to the ordinance and council addressed amendments one by one.

Amendment I allows certain types of indoor commercial recreation allowed in heavy industrial and light industrial zones.

Amendment II changes the permission of air separation facilities to a conditional use permit.

Amendment IV requires a conditional use permit requirement for hazardous waste on-site in the M-2 zone.

Amendment V requires a conditional use permit for the production of certain vehicles including airplanes in the M-1 zone.

Amendment VI makes retail business an allowed use in the M-2 zone.

An amendment to prevent breweries from locating within 1,000 feet of a residential property fsailed to make the final ordinance.

Listed as written the amendments don’t make clear the ramifications they have on the city or its residents, which is one reason discussion lasted until around 11 p.m. after starting before 8 p.m. Another reason is some in attendance were unaware of the ordinance which passed in October 2009 and created the overlay.

Community Planning Director Paul Rogerson began his presentation by listing what he viewed as the major concerns from the special meeting. Manufacturing of heavy equipment in the MIC zone, the locations of breweries and air-separation facilities and the handling of hazardous waste were important to the public, he said.

When the amendments to the ordinance passed, not everyone was completely satisfied, but some goodwill formed between the city and the public. The special meeting held on a Saturday, the willingness of council and other city employees to listen at length and the effort by the city to create an ordinance which reflects concerns of citizens demonstrated a collaborative effort in the opinions of citizens and councilmembers alike.

“I get really encouraged at nights like this,” Councilman Randy Hynek said.