Planning Commission refines rules for temporary uses; approves large deviation criteria for country‑club bubble and schedules second public hearing

The Mercer Island Planning Commission on July 23 adopted multiple amendments to the draft code governing temporary uses and structures and revised a new deviation standard that will allow larger temporary structures in residential zones when the city finds a substantial public benefit. The session focused on a pending application and precedent set by a large “tennis bubble” at Mercer Island Country Club and ended with the commission directing staff to prepare a final draft for a second public hearing on Sept. 10.

Deputy CPD Director Lisonbee Van Gorp and Senior Planner Molly Maguire led the staff presentation and recapped the procedural history: an interim regulation was previously adopted and the commission began a public hearing process on June 10; staff restructured the draft to a tiered permit approach (exemptions, normal temporary uses, and deviation approvals) and returned with a set of staff‑ and commissioner‑proposed amendments. Maguire summarized the bucketed approach and the recommended review types (type 2 for normal temporary uses, type 3 for deviations, with renewal provisions and expiration rules).

Major outcomes and votes: - The commission voted to accept the “category A” amendments (consensus items from June 10) and the “category B” staff consistency amendments. - Vice Chair Gibson moved and the commission adopted a replacement for the…