Residents air concern anew on controversial Meridian Gas Station

Two days after a Lacey Board of Park (BOP) Commissioner resigned over related issues, residents attended the BOP meeting on Wednesday, June 1 to raise concerns about the controversial Meridian Gas Station.

Residents aired their worries over safety and traffic issues near the Meridian Neighborhood Park since the proposed gas station would be built across from it.

Lacey resident Chris Porrazzo said there is a need for the BOP to join in the conversation or "at least put up a statement" on the issue.

"At least join, put up a statement, just so we know you're listening, just so we know that you care," said Porrazo.

Porazzo also expressed regret at the resignation of BOP Commissioner Sarah Daniels, who quit on Monday, May 30  as a protest against the City's process of hearing public comments on the gas station.

"I think it's really a loss whenever we lose somebody because of lack of communication or the lack of feeling like we can't speak in our meetings and bring up issues," added Porazzo.

Resident Elaine Briggs claimed that their neighborhood was informed that there would be ample opportunity for city departments to provide input on the project, that is why they expected the BOP to have a say on the matter.

"I think people were under the impression that there would be some consideration of impacts that might affect a city park," said Briggs.

"Citizens of that community felt ignored or abandoned by people who are supposed to represent them at the parks department because there was no input," Briggs commented.

Outside BOP's scope

BOP invited Planning and Development Services Manager Grant Beckto the Wednesday meeting to shed light on the approval process of the gas station process.

Beck clarified that although the BOP acts as an advisory and regulatory body, the decision will still be up to the city council after reviewing the hearings examiner's recommendations.

"The ultimate decision-maker on this project at the local level conditional use permit will be the city council," explained Beck.

Beck said city departments could develop and update regulations on their respective scopes and submit them to the council. The Planning Commission will then serve as an advisory council on the regulations prior to the approval of building permits.

"When it comes to permit, we are looking at rules that are already in place and not the future policies," clarified Beck.