During a recent Tacoma city council meeting, community members voiced strong opposition to the proposed mid-scale rezoning plan, emphasizing concerns over its potential impact on affordable housing and the urban environment. Michael Foley, a resident, argued that the mid-scale option would lead to irreversible changes, including the loss of the city's tree canopy, and urged the council to consider lower-scale alternatives that could better address housing needs without disrupting neighborhood aesthetics.

Peter Bennett, chair of the North End Neighborhood Council, echoed these sentiments, highlighting the importance of preserving Tacoma's historic neighborhoods and tree cover. He criticized the current proposal for not adequately incorporating community feedback and called for a focus on truly affordable housing solutions in areas that are willing to accommodate such developments.

Brett Johnson, a local business owner and member of the Tacoma Permit Advisory Group, suggested that any adopted plan should include mechanisms for addressing nuanced issues that arise during the permitting process. He also proposed the idea of utilizing urban wood from construction sites to promote sustainability and reduce reliance on petroleum-based materials.

The meeting also featured comments from an online participant, who raised concerns about the perceived disparity in environmental assessments between the Home in Tacoma initiative and other large-scale projects, questioning the motivations behind the rezoning efforts.

Overall, the discussions highlighted a community deeply invested in balancing development with the preservation of Tacoma's unique character and environmental health, as residents called for a more thoughtful approach to urban planning.