In June 2016 twenty-two year, community-minded Skyway business owner Nevzat Cankaya purchased the old "Milk Barn" building with the intent of moving his espresso stand indoors to create a gathering space and eating venue for Skyway. The stumbling block for opening a coffee shop is that the Pedestrian Oriented Special District Overlay included in the 1994 West Hill Community Plan for that location prohibits a drive-thru, which is a requirement for Nevzat's business plan. 

Councilmember Larry Gossett is in a position to propose an amendment to the Executive's Comprehensive Plan which would allow Nevzat to open a coffeehouse with a drive-thru at 12603 Renton Ave. S. Nineteen years ago, Councilmember Dwight Pelz was able to secure such an exception to allow Nevzat to operate his current drive-thru in a location with the same SDO zoning on the opposite side of Renton Ave. S.

For the past 25 years, businesses have been leaving Skyway. Our West Hill's greatest challenge has been attracting retail to the commercial districts and the number one request of residents has been for a sit-down eating and gathering space.

Let Councilmember Gossett know why we can't afford to let this opportunity for economic development in Skyway slip away due to a well-intentioned but faulty zoning requirement imposed at least 23 years ago.