LFP Town Center Code Work nearing completion

Phillippa Kassover

By Phillippa Kassover, Deputy Mayor and Chair of the Council,

City of Lake Forest Park

During January, the Lake Forest Park city council held six meetings, including an all-day meeting on Saturday January 9, 2021 to review the 12/24/20 draft of chapters in the Municipal Code revising the regulations for the potential redevelopment of our Town Center zone, as well as for a planned Sound Transit commuter parking garage.

Council has discussed the draft, including updated rules to include more trees and plantings in parking lots, better protection for Lyon Creek, good setbacks for surrounding neighborhoods, and improved landscaping that is appropriate for our local ecosystem. 

Council has also discussed capping the number of residential units on the site to 275, including incentives and directives for affordable housing, setting limits on building heights, and improving pedestrian walkways through the area.

Council has heard and received public comment from citizens at all our meetings and the recent Public Hearing at a City Council Special Meeting on January 21st. Council has also received written comments from the property owner and Sound Transit. All of council’s discussions, as well as the comments we have received, will inform the next draft of the regulations. 

This draft will be the subject of council’s discussions at upcoming meetings on February 11th, 16th and 22nd. This final draft will be the subject of a Public Hearing, now scheduled for the agenda of council’s Regular Business Meeting on February 25th.

I want to thank all the citizens who have followed along as council has methodically worked through the many pages of code and made thoughtful comments for council to consider. I also want to thank my council colleagues for their diligence and focus as we have tackled this work virtually under the strain of a global pandemic and unrest in our country. 

I look forward to a positive outcome that reflects our community values and positions our city for an environmentally sustainable and equitable future.

Please keep up-to-date by checking the city website and signing up for meeting notices here:
Lake Forest Park, WA - Official Website (cityoflfp.com)