Council review: waterfront developer must consult wildlife expert, preserve bluff and update fence under proposed conditions

City staff explained conditions they drafted for a waterfront project drawing on precedent language used for the Scots Hotel and Market House projects. The conditions include using regionally native planting materials where possible; incorporating bird- and wildlife-sensitive measures; consulting a wildlife expert to address unknown wildlife (raccoons, deer, etc.); ensuring an updated, maintained fence at the developer's cost; and explicit bluff-preservation language to prevent unauthorized work on the bluff.

The drafter told council the developer agreed to pull back a proposed encroachment on a bluff and that future signage would follow section 333 of the zoning code. Council members expressed support for the project as a win for the east side and noted that some residents who initially had concerns later submitted letters of support after their questions were addressed. The administration said more detailed plans will be submitted to planning for further review.