Renovation work is now under way on the little green building on the City of Sequim’s property at the corner of Washington Street and Sequim Avenue.

Pane D’Amore Bakery owner Linda Yakush says she hopes to have her current Sequim store, found at the corner of Fifth and Washington, relocated to the spot by the end of September.

The City of Sequim jumped a few hurdles to get Pane d’Amore quickly into its new digs. City Manager Steve Burkett said that was a smart decision.

Burkett said the city wasn’t required to advertise the space, and didn’t, but when they were approached by the owners of Pane d’Amore, “We just wanted to give them an opportunity to move in there as soon as possible.”

Because the city council had to approve the lease, and because they didn’t want to wait until their next meeting on Sept. 9, they waived the “three-touch rule” to “open it as soon as possible,” Burkett said.

The three-touch rule requires a notification that a given subject is being considered, followed by a more detailed review of the proposal. The third touch includes a formal presentation.

Burkett added that the three-touch rule isn’t really a “rule” — instead it’s a recommended procedure to be followed when dealing with “significant public policy issues.” The city often waives the rule.

Burkett said the city was fortunate the Pane d’Amore owners were interested, saying that it’s a nice fit.

“There were several uses that we wouldn’t want to be in there on city property,” he said.

He added, “and they were willing to pay the lease.”

“There’s no sense having a bunch of red tape,” Burkett said.

City Engineer David Garlington said Pane d’Amore isn’t subject to traffic impact fees. He said unlike the Crumb Grabbers Bakery on Cedar Street, the new use of the building is very similar to its prior use.

It served as the home of the Garden Bistro until that business closed in fall of 2011.

Garlington said the traffic impact fees aren’t just determined by category, but also by considering whether the new use will generate more traffic than the former use.

He said the traffic created by the bakery shop will be approximately the same as that generated by the Garden Bistro.