Meeting roundup: Commissioners report EZ Fiber complaints, railroad crossing frustration; staff previews Sound Transit engagement

In member reports and the staff update, commissioners flagged several non-agenda operational items.

Vice Chair Kohler and other commissioners described resident complaints about EZ Fiber's fiber-installation work and lacking resident outreach. Director Larson said public works has paused issuing new right-of-way permits to EZ Fiber until the company improves resident notice and compliance; staff have authority to withhold permits and will monitor the contractor's compliance.

Commissioner Bond and others raised recurring train-blocking at the 70th Street crossing. Staff said railroad schedules are not typically public and that the city council has engaged the railroad and congressional delegation about crossing delays; staff acknowledged ongoing community frustration.

Larson also previewed several staff items: an April 21 opportunity-workshop for the economic-development action plan; a May presentation from TIP Strategies; proposed traffic and parks impact fees to the City Council in May (traffic fee ~ $7,900, parks ~$3,060 per average unit); opportunity-zone application plans covering much of the city center; ongoing outreach to impacted I-5 corridor property owners; and continued coordination with Sound Transit on station-area design ahead of spring public engagement.

No formal council referrals or votes resulted from these reports; staff pledged to continue monitoring EZ Fiber permitting and to forward Sound Transit survey and engagement dates to commissioners.