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 concerns. Small‑business owners said the exemption would encourage conversion of low‑rise shopping areas into apartment sites. Karen Burns, who owns a quilt shop in the Clover Park Shops, said the complex ‘‘is a small complex with established businesses’’ and that added housing on Gravelly Lake Drive would worsen traffic and harm nearby retail. Michelle Nickerson, a longtime resident, said she feared a loss of neighborhood character and more cars on streets that lack sidewalks.

Other commenters raised infrastructure and environmental questions. Kim Underwood, a member of the Clover Creek Watershed Council, questioned the water supply for new development and noted that Lakewood Water District serves multiple jurisdictions upstream. Several speakers also warned of impacts to wildlife corridors and the mature tree canopy that neighbors value.

Walter Neary, who described himself as a long‑time neighborhood participant, asked the council to demonstrate it is ‘‘truly listening to residents’’ and to reject the exemption for the affected neighborhood. Multiple speakers cited the recent planning commission vote against the expansion.

Mayor Steve Whelan and other council members responded after public comment by explaining that state laws and regional planning guidance require cities to plan for growth and housing targets. The mayor described the Growth Management Act and regional targets as constraints that shape where density can be directed and said the city has attempted to concentrate growth in planned subareas to avoid placing new density in established single‑family neighborhoods.

No formal action on the multifamily tax exemption was taken at the April 21 meeting. Council members and staff indicated the matter remains under review; the planning commission’s recommendation and more public input were cited as factors the council will consider.

How this matters: The multifamily tax exemption is intended to steer affordable and market‑rate housing toward areas the city designates for growth. Neighbors who spoke said the currently proposed expansion would place incentives in stable, tree‑lined residential corridors and in existing small‑business strips, risking tree loss, traffic and displacement. Council members emphasized they are balancing state planning obligations with residents’ concerns and encouraged continued engagement with state legislators and the city’s planning process.