Let me start with a quick summary of my feelings. The hotel plans are way too big. They don't fit the neighborhood. The developer wants parts of the park that were originally promised to the public. It seems like the developer believes they should be able to do whatever they want with the public property. While I try to be open minded, I am skeptical that the developer can scale things back to an acceptable level.
Instead of detailing why I don't like this proposal, I'm going to list questions as well as potential oversights. Unlike most people who have visited the park, I have at least glanced at the master plan. The master plan can be found at http://www.co.pierce.wa.us/DocumentCenter/View/7382
- How would residents along Grandview Drive respond to a large building being built across the street?
- Would the hotel impact access to the Central Meadow parking area or the trail system?
- Would parking become a big problem? While it's difficult to tell exactly how much parking there is, it actually looks like less than we have now. A hotel would increase property usage and would likely require a fairly significant increase in parking.
- In addition to the connection between the Grandview and Soundview Trails near the hotel, access to the East Slope Trail might need to be addressed. I honestly don't see how they could maintain a proper connection.
- Would they alter plans for the area between Central Meadow and the wastewater treatment plant? Originally, disconnected hotel units were supposed to be built in this area. If they are focused on a larger hotel at the top of the hill, they could free up this area to partially restore public space.
- The developer wants to take over and expand the Environmental Services Building.
- A driving range would be built over land next to the Environmental Services Building that is currently open to the public.
- The drawings don't do a very good job of showing the size of the driving range. Would these plans prevent proper development of the Environmental Education Center and the Environmental Institute?
- Would the driving range alter accessibility or even remove the labyrinth?
- Before renderings for the hotel were released, the developer discussed the possibility of adding a second golf course. It sounds like they would be targeting the South Area. Questions have already been raised regarding the permanent off-leash area that was planned for the South Meadow.
- There are uses for the South Area beyond the off-leash area. How would a second golf course alter these plans?
- The South Meadow is not just for dogs.
- Would the Soundview Trail still be expanded to the south?
- If the Soundview Trail and the East Slope trail are both interrupted by the developer, proper Canyon access might not develop.
- I'm guessing the arboretum would have to be eliminated from the plans.
- The boat launch has already been jeopardized due to environmental concerns, but I once read that the situation may have changed. This is another public use that the second golf course could prevent.
- How about the tunnel access to the South Beach? Considering limitations caused by the tides, this is an important connection. The way things are right now, even some low tides are not low enough to access the South Beach.
- Swimming was supposed to be an activity for the South Beach. If access is limited, a proper swimming area might not be developed.
- Space is tight for a golf course, so it might be difficult to justify a proper parking area. If any public usage is retained, reduced parking could be a problem..
Some of my concerns could be addressed, but I really don't think these plans will work. The good news is that there are multiple ways that these plans can be blocked. These plans rely on altering the master plan. If a new plan isn't approved, the developer can't go through with their vision. Another potential block would be zoning regulations. Plans currently exceed what University Place would allow.
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