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Council reviews Marina District Ordinance 1604 proposing 100-foot height bonus tied to civic-grade design
Summary
City Planner Rob White presented Ordinance No. 1604 to allow a height bonus in the Marina District from 90 to 100 feet when projects meet ‘civic-grade’ architectural standards; the Planning Commission recommended a 4-1 compromise, but Councilmembers and public commenters raised environmental, legal, and fairness concerns, and Jensen said she would not support the ordinance as written.
City Planner Rob White presented Ordinance No. 1604, which would amend Chapters 25.01 and 25.06 of the Ruston Municipal Code to create a Civic Architecture Height Bonus in the Marina District. Planner White described required standards—durable materials at pedestrian level, corner emphasis, façade modulation, partial view corridors and shoreline-oriented balconies—and an enhancement menu from which projects must choose additional public-realm features. He told the Council the Planning Commission voted 4-1 to recommend allowing a maximum building elevation of 100 feet above mean sea level when projects comply with the civic-grade standards.
Public commenters and several councilmembers raised concerns about environmental remediation, fairness, and process. Multiple residents—including Tom Poole, Jody Coulston, Ford Connor and Susan Gourley—expressed opposition or requested more information about contaminated soils and remediation plans at Point Ruston. Councilmember Naomi Wilson warned that the Marina District currently covers only two parcels and said the code could be perceived as conferring a special benefit on a limited number of property owners. Councilmember Jennifer Jensen placed a formal reservation on the record, saying she was not persuaded the ordinance was financially necessary, questioned the developer-funded preparation of the proposed ordinance, and said she would not support Ordinance 1604 in its current form.
Planner White and staff noted SEPA review produced a Determination of Non-Significance and that the Department of Commerce confirmed Growth Management Act notice requirements were met. The matter remained at first reading with drafting corrections and further legal/environmental clarifications anticipated before any final vote.
