With light rail ready to roll from the Sea-Tac International Airport/SeaTac City Center station on Dec. 19, SeaTac lawmakers decided Nov. 24 to pause in efforts to enact design standards for the city's downtown area across from the station.

Council members voted 5-2 to place a moratorium on applications for building and development permits in the station area.

The area is between International Boulevard and 32nd Avenue South from South 176th Street to South 170th Street. The new Sound Transit station is located at International al Boulevard and South 176th Street.

The action came after lawmakers heard complaints from local business people objecting to zoning standards proposed by SeaTac's planning department.

Cathy Boysen Heiberg, who along with her brother, owns several business properties along International Boulevard, reported that 50 people attended a SeaTac Planning Commission public hearing on Nov.16.

"It was the best showing of SeaTac business people in 20 years," Heiberg said. "The attendees are risk takers who want to help SeaTac with economic development."

But, she said, the audience members and the planning commissioners recommended unanimously that the city hold off on proposed zoning changes.

Attorney John Houlihan, who represents James and Doris Cassan of Dollar Development, said the proposed standards are too restrictive and would stifle development instead of encourage it.

Houlihan said the Cassans have made two proposals to the city to develop their surface property lot at South 176th Street into a multi-use development.

The council voted last month to condemn the Cassans' property in order to build a parking garage to serve the patrons of the envisioned downtown entertainment district.

Jeff Williams said he is the architect for a proposed eight-story Marriott Hotel at the current Jet Motel site, located at 17300 International Boulevard.

He said the developers want to go ahead with the project but the proposed new zoning standards are stopping them.

Planning director Steve Butler urged lawmakers to adopt interim standards for the city center area.

He said the goals of the standards are to create a downtown as a civic and cultural center for residents and visitors and to take advantage of having a light rail station in the area.

He said the proposed standards would upgrade ground floor space requirements, establish a new street grid and increase design regulations for parking structures.

If new zoning standards are not adopted, developers would only have to meet existing, more lax standards, Butler warned.

Mayor Ralph Shape announced he will appoint an ad hoc committee, made up of business people and others to advise the city on acceptable zoning requirements in the area.

Councilman Chris Wythe, who proposed the moratorium, admitted it might be viewed negatively.

"But, I can find no other way to protect the main street area for the citizens while taking time to come up with an alternative," Wythe declared.

Houlihan, the Cassans' attorney, said the council should rescind the condemnation proceedings if it approved the moratorium.

"The moratorium is just another gun to the head (of the Cassans,)" Houlihan added.

Shape, Wythe and Deputy Mayor Gene Fisher as well as council members Tony Anderson and Mia Gregerson voted for the moratorium.

Councilwomen Terry Anderson and Pam Fernald voted against it.

Fernald was sworn in at the meeting to complete the term of Councilman Joe Brennan, who died last year.

She defeated Barry Landenberg, who had been appointed by the council, in the Nov. 3 election. Fernald will start serving a full four-year term in January.

The city is holding an open house on the downtown entertainment district plan on Dec. 7 at the Holiday Inn Conference Center, 17338 International Boulevard, from 5-8 p.m.

A public hearing on the moratorium is set for Jan. 12 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers.