SEQUIM — An application by a Bellevue developer to modify zoning on acreage near downtown — and setting into motion a proposed regional shopping center — has been approved by the City Council.
The 5-0 vote with two council members absent at a council meeting Wednesday night will establish a city ordinance changing most of the site’s designation from mixed-use to a C-4 overlay zone, making it eligible for regional retail development.
Paul McHugh, Bill Huizinga, Don Hall and Ron Farquhar joined Mayor Walt Schubert in voting to approve the overlay.
John Beitzel was on vacation, and Patricia Kasovia-Schmitt was attending a conference.
The five council members first heard nearly five hours of testimony from representatives of the applicant, McConkey Development Co., and from three members of the public who expressed concerns over McConkey’s plans to bring a two-phased, 30-acre retail center tentatively set to include a Fred Meyer department store and gas station.
The complex, dubbed Bell Farm Center, would be built on a larger parcel of land east of South Sequim Avenue between East Washington and East Hammond streets.
The land is owned by Sequim resident Mark Burrowes, who was not present at Wednesday’s hearing.
McConkey has targeted a completion date in 2005.
Second phase
A second phase of development, planned for 2008, would expand the site into a village-themed center with more retail stores and public common areas for community events.
The council members asked pointed questions about the impact to traffic in an already-congested area of the city — particularly the South Sequim Avenue route which is situated close to U.S. Highway 101.
