UPDATED: University Place Tweaks Drive-Through Ordinance

The debate in University Place got a little clear Monday night, but not by much.

The University Place City Council voted to continue its ban on new drive-through businesses between 35^th Street West and the Homestead Park area east of Bridgeport, which is considered the "overlay." area.

However, officials opted to allow new drive-throughs in the Green Firs Village – the area with Trader Joe’s, Safeway and Shari’s – and Albertsons areas.

Farther south, on the west side of Bridgeport between 40th and 44th Streets West, some businesses will be able to pursue a new drive-through via a conditional use permit.

The changes appeared to be a compromise between the city’s original vision for a pedestrian-friendly downtown area and plans from developers such as Nat Franklin, who owns Green Firs Village.

Franklin has a business interested in locating to the Green Firs Village, but it wants to offer customers a drive-through.

"This will be a good example, if it goes through, that the council is willing to work with developers and show some flexibility," he said.

Although some City Council members voiced their skepticism about making any changes, it was Councilwoman Caroline Belleci who suggested the "compromise" of allowing drive-throughs at the non-Town Center development shopping centers like Green Firs Village.

The only two who staunchly opposed drive-throughs in any of the Town Center areas were Mayor Debbie Klosowski and Councilman Eric Choiniere.

They argued that allowing changes - even if it's not in the Town Center development between 35th and Homestead Park - go against what the community originally wanted when it envisioned the project almost a decade ago.

"This will open the Pandora's Box to special changes," Choiniere said.

City staff is expected to bring a new set of ordinances that reflect the changes back the City Council.