Neighbors Say They'd Take A Mine Over A Gas Station in University Place Debate

Given the choice between a mine and a gas station, neighbors of a parcel that University Place leaders are considering rezoning in the city's southern half will take their chances with the mine.

That was the indication from the handful of neighbors who testified Wednesday night at . On the surface, the proposal involves rezoning the parcel at Bridgeport Way and 67th Avenue West from low-density residential to neighborhood commercial.

But neighbors spoke on the potential of the owner - Brian McGuire - developing the site into a gas station. They argued that a 24-hour gas station would create excessive lighting, noise, grounwater issues and forever change the character of the area.

"I strongly encourage the city not to allow Mr. McGuire to develop this site at the expense of the neighborhood," Xanos Diogenes said.

"Don't trade fear of an unlikely gravel pit for a non-commissioned use of our neighborhood," said Mary Stafford.

Debbie Klosowski, a neighbor and former mayor of Univeristy Place, said "when we incorporated back in 1995, one of the primary reasons was to protect the single-family neighborhoods."

"If you allow neighborhood commercial, that gas station will be there forever," she added.

But McGuire's attorney brought up a series of points to counteract the neighbors' testimony, including the fact that the city approached his client first.

Also, it's unlikely that the area would remain a mine, as both the and a nearby subdivision were built on land that also used to be a mine, he said.

McGuire acquired mining rights to the property when he bought it from the Holroyd Company in 1991. The City of University Place actually went to court over those rights, but the Washington State Supreme Court upheld them in 2001.

McGuire has since agreed to forego those mining rights if the site of the potential gas station, as well as another parcel east of Fred Meyer, were zoned for commercial use.

But neighbors who testified Wednesday said they prefer a mine, and they're willing to wait it out until it's used for something else.

So we ask you, Patch users, do think the parcel in question should be mined or developed into a gas station. Tell us in the comments below.