QUESTION: Should The City Rezone Parcel To Avoid Mining?

Should University Place leaders accept a proposal to rezone a parcel at Bridgeport Way and 67th Avenue West to keep the owner from mining the property?

Tonight, the University Place Planning Commision is scheduled to conduct a public hearing on the future of a piece of property where the owner has rights to mine the land.

The city wants to rezone the property at the southwest corner of Bridgeport Way and 67th Avenue West, across the street from , from low-density residential to neighborhood commercial.

The property's owner has told the city that he has rights to mine the property, and failure to rezone the site could turn it into an active mine for "many, many years to come," according to UP Planning Commissioner Chris Barrett.

If rezoned, there are a number of uses that would be allowed, Barrett wrote.

The property is one of the first people see when they enter University Place from Lakewood, which means it's one of the most visible. It's also surrounded by plenty of residential areas, and neighbors likely won't welcome mining in close to their homes.

If you want to go, the University Place Planning Commission meets at 7 p.m., tonight at.