Lakewood residents press council to reject multifamily tax break for Gravelly Lake Drive, citing trees, traffic and small‑business loss

Several Lakewood residents urged the City Council on April 21 to oppose expanding the city's multifamily tax exemption to the Gravelly Lake Drive area, saying the incentive would encourage developers to remove large trees, increase traffic and put long‑standing small businesses at risk.

The public comment period drew numerous speakers representing neighborhood groups and merchants. Christina Manetti, speaking for the Garry Oak Coalition, told the council the exemption ‘‘would have an impact on trees, including large Garry Oaks’’ and criticized what she called the city’s messaging on tree protections. ‘‘Real tree protections in Lakewood do not exist,’’ Manetti said, adding that mitigation fees do not replace the loss of mature trees.

The residents’ remarks focused on several recurring…