Should Day Island Open Up to New Business and Public Use?

Day Island has traditionally been a private peninsula neighborhood in University Place, and most residents would like to keep it that way.  

In a May 1 public hearing hosted by the University Place Planning Commission, residents of Day Island challenged proposed zoning changes at the Day Island Yacht Club, as outlaid in the city’s Shoreline Master Program (SMP).    

The SMP, currently being updated, proposes a rezone of the Narrows Marina and private yacht club property. Redevelopment could include restaurants, housing, offices or even parks. 

The Narrows Marina and Day Island Yacht Club are both zoned residential, which is conflict with what is actually happening in that area, said Jeff Boers, principal planner of University Place. Members of the SMP citizens advisory committee found that changes would need to be reflected in the city’s comprehensive plan and zoning codes.

Under the current code, if the Yacht Club closed, it would go back to residential zoning, in a neighborhood of about 130.

(Read past coverage on University Place Patch).

At this month's public hearing, Day Island residents said they liked their neighborhood the way it is, and extra traffic on its narrow roads is not welcome. Residents said that more access to the area could put their property values into decline and the lack of parking could be a problem.

Many who spoke have lived there for decades, some even second-generation. Read more resident comments in the Planning Commission's meeting minutes.  

The Planning Commission held a followup public hearing on this issue later in May and the University Place City Council is expected to debate the rezoning of the Day Island Yacht Club this June.

What do you think should happen to Day Island in the future? Should it stay a private neighborhood, or be opened up to more development and public access? Tell us in the comments.