MERCER ISLAND PLANNING COMMISSION PUBLIC HEARING
ON PROPOSED ZONING TEXT AMENDMENT FOR MICA
CANCELLED
Concerned Citizens for Mercer Island Parks (CCMIP) applauds the City for its leadership in recommending a "pause" for the Mercer Island Center for the Arts (MICA) project in Mercerdale Park "to consider other locations and to discuss options for a partnership that has the potential of serving a wide range of residents and needs." This "pause," requested by City Manager Julie Underwood in an October 10, 2017, letter to Sharon Perez, Capital Fund Director of MICA, was accepted by the MICA Board. This "pause" will give MICA time "to develop a plan to earn the broad-base support of the community, to address several City needs, and to ultimately see the project to fruition," according to Ms. Underwood's letter.
As a result of this "pause," the Planning Commission public hearing on the MICA Zoning Text Amendment originally scheduled for Wednesday, October 18, has been cancelled.
"As CCMIP and supporters of the arts have strongly suggested over the past many months and years, there are other, better suited locations and options for consideration that protect Mercerdale Park from encroachment," stated Meg Lippert, CCMIP Co-chair.
"CCMIP appreciates MICA's willingness to be supportive of the City's recommendation for a 'pause,' " according to CCMIP Co-chair Peter Struck. "We look forward to broad citizen participation as the dialogue continues. CCMIP is eager to engage with MICA and the City in developing a plan that will protect public parkland while supporting Youth Theater Northwest and the arts."
See letters below:
