Rezoning conditions prohibit development

JIM LYONS; Tacoma
Last updated: September 12th, 2007 01:21 AM (PDT)

Your editorial was on the mark until the last paragraph, which stated, “The developer has the right to build.”

While this principle might apply to landowners in general, it does not apply to the Northshore Golf Course. Why? Because of a document you should have researched before making such sweeping statements.

The area around Northshore golf course was rezoned for development in 1981. In approving this rezone, the hearing examiner stated, “The applicant shall submit a legal agreement which is binding upon all parties and which may be enforced by the City of Tacoma. It should provide that the property in question will maintain and always have use of the adjacent golf course for its open space and density requirement which has been relied upon by the applicant in securing approval of this request.”

The examiner went on to emphasize that the golf course should remain open space “in perpetuity.”

Based on this agreement, the golf course is now surrounded by an apartment complex, a multifamily housing unit and smaller lots than are typical for residential areas.

We residents of Northeast Tacoma have already done our part to absorb the inevitable population increase our beautiful region has and will experience. Now the owners want to break their promise, take the money, and stick us with jammed roads and overcrowded schools in place of open space.

Originally published: September 12th, 2007 01:21 AM (PDT)