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No bowling in Buck's
posted 08/17/01
Friday Harbor Town councilmembers couldn't find a way to allow a bowling alley to be operated in Sam Buck Sr.'s new building. The councilmembers considered several possibilities during their council meetings yesterday (August 16) but struck out. The Tucker Avenue building is in an area classified as light manufacturing, indoor entertainment is not allowed in that classification.
During the noon meeting, Sam Buck Jr. read a letter from his father which said "we're not asking for a rezone, we are asking for flexibility within the current zoning. Could this be considered a rental service, since shoes are rented and lanes are rented? "
According to Buck's letter, construction deadlines required a decision within a week. The configuration of the building would be different if the bowling alley wasn't possible.
Mayor Gary Boothman asked if the town could just add the words "bowling alley" to the list of allowable uses for light manufacturing. Town Land Use Administrator Mike Bertrand said it was a possibility.
Councilmember Hedda King said the deadline for requests for changes was Dec. 31, 2000 and it couldn't be done. Changes to the town's Comprehensive Plan are done once a year. The changes have been discussed by the planning commission and the town council. The final vote will be taken in September and the changes will go into effect at that time.
Councilmember Carrie Brooks noted the town had already set a precedent by adding professional services to the list of allowable uses in light industrial zones. That change will allow Sue Hill to operate a medical facility in Airport Center. The request was made after the Dec. 31, 2000 deadline.
Later Brooks said she realized that change was done to correct an accidental omission. Indoor entertainment was deliberately left off the list of allowable uses in light manufacturing according to town staff.
Councilmember Bill LaPorte said previous council's wanted to set aside land for industrial uses and didn't want it used up by other things like motels. The lot in question was designated light manufacturing since it was next to the sewer plant and there were other industrial uses like printing presses in the area.
Steve Buck said the town is allowing indoor entertainment in the light manufacturing classification. He said Offbeet Entertainment offers computer games. Councilmember Bill LaPorte asked Town Administrator King Fitch about that.
Fitch said Land Use Administrator Mike Bertrand and Code Compliance John Jensen visited Offbeet Entertainment and determined it was not indoor entertainment. According to Fitch, Bertrand said it was more a place for kids to hang out. There were a few computers available.
Councilmember Vonda Sheiman, Brooks and LaPorte all said they wished there was a way to make the bowling alley possible. But short of opening up the entire Comprehensive Plan amendment process to everyone it couldn't be done now. If they opened up the process, it would delay the implementation date for changes and would cause a host of problems for the people who applied before the deadline and were counting on the changes. The council noted the bowling alley proponents could apply next year.
One-lane bowling alley permissable
posted 08/06/01
Kent Satin and his partners can build a one-lane bowling alley in Friday Harbor. But a lot more pins would have to fall into place before they could add more lanes. The men have the bowling alley equipment and a landlord willing to lease a building. The one thing they lack is the right zoning.
Satin told the Friday Harbor Town Council last week, Sam Buck Sr. is willing to lease his new building under construction on Tucker Avenue for use as a bowling alley. He said this is the only building that is suitable in size and is affordable. The catch is indoor entertainment is not allowed in light manufacturing land designations even as a conditional use. It is allowed in commercial or light industrial land classifications.
Satin noted the variety of uses in the other building on the property -- a coffee shop, Off-beet Entertainment, government offices. Offbeet is listed as a retail store under its business license. Retail uses are allowed in light manufacturing.
Satin noted the proposed bowling alley's pro shop and restaurant would be allowed. Just the bowling alley portion is not allowed. "We need guidance," he said. "While this is a profit-oriented venture, it is equally a community oriented venture."
The Town Council discussed the matter during the non-agenda portion of their noon August 2 meeting. Councilmembers Carrie Brooks and Vonda Sheiman expressed an interest in seeing a bowling alley in town but did not know what could be done this year.
Town Administrator King Fitch said, "It is always going to be true that land in a non-commercial zone is cheaper than in a commercial zone. The town created the zone specifically to create areas for industrial uses in order to create jobs."
Land Use Administrator Mike Bertrand said the council could choose to change the allowable uses in light manufacturing land classifications or change the lot's classification next year during the next round of comprehensive plan changes.
Another option would be for the men to build the bowling alley with a pro shop, restaurant and just one bowling lane. The lane could be considered an incidental use under the premise it is for demonstration of the equipment sold in the pro shop. Then they could complete the building if and when the council approves changes in the land designation or in the allowable uses. He noted it would be a significant gamble.
Sharon Kivisto
and
Matt Pranger
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