City of Lake Forest Park News Release

Three Public Hearings on November 8, 2007

The City Council will be holding three public hearings on November 8, 2007 beginning at 7:30 pm in the City Council Chambers, 17425 Ballinger Way NE.

Ordinance 963 Amending Conditional Use Criteria for Trails

The ordinance establishes criteria for local trails and for multi-use or multi-purpose trails to be authorized as a conditional use. These amendments include a provision stating that whenever the Hearing Examiner concludes that imposition of any required condition would render installation or development of a regional multi use or multi purpose trail impracticable, or violate applicable state or federal law or regulations, then the hearing examiner shall modify the condition to make development of the trail practicable; provided, that if such modification cannot be made, then no condition shall be imposed. The definition for “Impracticable” is being incapable of being designed, constructed, and implemented in an effective, efficient, lawful manner including consideration of cost (see attached draft ordinance for full definition).

These provisions among others have been included to resolve issues brought up by the Central Puget Sound Growth Management Hearings Board decision earlier this year which found that the Burke-Gilman Trail is an Essential Public Facility (under the State Growth Management Act) and that the City’s regulations must not provide the opportunity to deny or make impracticable the construction or expansion of such a facility.

Click here for a copy of the proposed ordinance.

2. Ordinance 962 Changes to the Home Occupation Ordinance

Last year, Economic Development Commission proposed changes to the home occupation regulations in the zoning code in order to encourage more home businesses to operate in compliance with City regulations and address regulations that the Commission felt were overly restrictive. The primary change is to increase the allowable area of a residence that can be used to conduct the home occupation to 500 square feet. The Planning Commission reviewed the proposed changes and found them to be warranted and is recommending that the Council consider adoption.

Click here for copy of the proposed ordinance.

3 Ordinance 964 Removing a Repeal date for Sign Regulation Provisions Related to Street Light Banners within the Town Center Zone

On July 28th, 2005, the City Council adopted Ordinance 935 amending Chapter 18.52 of the Lake Forest Park Municipal Code to allow the installation of street light banners in the Town Center zone of the City. Section 2 of Ordinance 935 contains language repealing those street light banners provisions on midnight, December 31, 2007.

The Lake Forest Park Farmers Market has become a community asset. Based on a rapid market assessment, an average of 1500 Lake Forest Park residents purchase local produce each market day. City staff members have not received any complaints about the street light banner signage in the Town Center zone.

Click here for a copy of the proposed ordinance.