SeaTac lawmakers said no to pawn shops and yes to a business park in a residential neighborhood during a lengthy Oct. 28 meeting.

Following comments by several SeaTac residents opposing pawn shops, council members unanimously declined to set regulations that would allowed a pawn shop at South 192nd Street and International Boulevard. The shop would have been in the old Dave's Diner site next to the? Casino.

Lawmakers also heard from residents against the business park at the former Boulevard Park school South 128th Street and 20th Avenue South. But economic development director Jeff Robinson testified the site would bring increased revenue for the city and the Highline School District, which owns the property.

Residents from the Angle Lake Manor Homeowners Association and other nearby neighbors claimed pawn shops attract crime and drugs.

While noting conditions along International Boulevard have improved, they said there still are lingering problems with prostitution, drugs and home break-ins.

For those wanting to patronize a pawn shop, there are ones just north and south of SeaTac along International Boulevard as well as in Burien, speakers noted.

A neighboring resident suggested another restaurant should occupy the vacant building.

"It is more important to get a good business than just any business," he declared.

The potential shop owner testified that only one-half of one percent of items in pawn shops are stolen goods.

"I want to be a benefit to the community," the woman said. "I want to be a part of the community."

A woman, who said she has worked in pawn shops, said they serve a broad range of the community including kids looking for inexpensive video games and families wanting to buy cheap movies.

"You are doing a great disservice to the community by not allowing it," she concluded.

Principal Planner Jack Dodge told lawmakers the ordinance would require shop employees to electronically transmit pawn tickets to the SeaTac Police.

Councilman Tony Anderson commented, "This has been described as a benefit to the community, but I am not convinced it is a service we need."

Mayor Ralph Shape observed that he originally favored the pawn shop, but he had determined that a majority of citizens opposed to it.

Lawmakers did agree to waive the five-acre minimum lot size requirement for business parks so that the Robbins Company could build on the old Boulevard Park school site.

The Robbins Co. plans to construct three buildings to store vehicles and equipment.

Dodge reported the development would contain 20 feet of landscaping around the site and loading bays would be screened.

Speakers said they worried about pollutants seeping into a nearby well field operated by Seattle Public Utilities.

Owner Rob Robbins replied that if the development would still need to obtain environmental permits.

Robinson said the business park would increase tax revenues, replace an unsightly vacant lot, and provide family-wage jobs.

"We would be sending a clear signal to businesses that we are serious about attracting them to the city," Robinson added.

Deputy Mayor Gene Fisher said his neighbors in north SeaTac might be upset with him for voting to allow the waiver.

"But I have no doubt the rest of the citizens who put me in office would say, 'why not?'" Fisher noted.

Councilman Chris Wythe argued that the location next to park and church is a poor spot for a business park.

Arguing that he would favor a pawn shop over the development, he said the business park would "add one more blight" to the neighborhood.

The council approved the waiver with only Wythe voting against it.