Don’t sacrifice neighborhoods for hotel

Published 3:32 pm Tuesday, September 22, 2009

An open letter to North Bend planning commission and city council members:

I’m writing today in support of economic development in North Bend. A hotel that is located with the city’s land use goals in mind and compatible with adjacent land uses would no doubt help make North Bend “easy to reach, hard to leave.” Perhaps a hotel located within the city’s central business district would even revitalize our small town core.

However, after reading our 2007 North Bend City Comprehensive Plan, I have serious questions regarding the proposed amendment to allow hotels in the IMU (Interchange Mixed Use) district in locations south of Interstate 90.

How would a zoning amendment to allow a 55-foot-tall hotel across the street from a vibrant North Bend single family residential neighborhood (Forster Woods) and multi-family neighborhood (Rock Creek):

• “Protect our neighborhoods from adverse impacts such as traffic… or other nuisances by actively enforcing City codes” (LU-1.4)?

• “Protect residential zoning districts from adverse impacts created by land uses permitted in adjoining commercial or industrial zoning districts” (LU-1.10)?

Please do not grant the code amendment to allow hotels in the IMU district in locations south of Interstate 90. In my opinion, this amendment would not “maintain residential quality and neighborhood livability suitable for a rural town” (LU-Goal 1).

I support North Bend’s economic development, but not at the sacrifice of our community’s neighborhoods. We appreciate your careful consideration in this matter.

The Gage family

North Bend