SEQUIM — Debate about regional shopping centers highlighted the public comment section of Monday night’s City Council meeting.
Economic development leaders spoke of a golden opportunity for Sequim and the rest of Clallam County, while opponents argued quality-of-life issues.
“Sequim is in the sweet spot,” said Clallam County Economic Development Council Director Jim Haguewood of Port Angeles, who added that shopping is one of the life-quality issues used to attract major corporations to cities.
Tim Smith, a Sequim property owner who directs the Port Angeles city economic development efforts, said Sequim “has fallen into disrepair” because enough tax revenue isn’t being generated.
Sequim First member Laura Showers urged the council to appoint a citizens advisory committee to study design standards and asked for a six-month moratorium before acting on any shopping center plans that might be presented.
Marti McAllister Wolf, owner of Pacific Mist Books in downtown Sequim, had a question for the speakers from Port Angeles:
“If this is such a great deal, why is the Kmart building still empty?”
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