When Light Rail Comes to Suburban Washington, So Do Bigger Plans

Stephen Fesler reports from Mountlake Terrace, Washington, where the city is working on a subarea plan [pdf] for its town center to prepare for the arrival of light rail.

The subarea plan "would in some ways expand the boundaries of the town center and supersede existing zoning," according to Fesler.

To accomplish those goals, the subarea plan locates new building heights in close proximity to the city's planned light rail station. "Blocks closest to the light rail station would be rezoned to District 1, which would allow buildings ranging from six to 12 stories. Current zoning in those areas either comprise single-family zoning or considerably more modest heights of five stories or less."

A public hearing on the plan is expected at the city's Planning Commission in March.