Watertown City Council opened a public hearing on a rezoning request for 100 East Division Street that would change the site’s land-use designation to allow a multi-unit residential development, and heard several residents, a small-business owner and an architect describe concerns and potential benefits.

Property owner Pat Warner told the council, “My biggest concern is parking. I believe it's, the project is way too big for the amount of parking that they are allowing.” Warner said neighborhood streets are already heavily used and that inadequate parking could “devalue my property.”

Small-business owner Cara Pugh offered a contrasting view, calling the project “a real turning point for our city” and urging the council to accept market-rate housing to bring more customers to local businesses. Pugh said Watertown lacks housing and that bringing people “who can afford at market rents…might actually spend money in our businesses.”

Sandra Trigo of Trio Architects supported the concept but raised design and siting concerns. She told councilors the proposed building’s north wing is “a 50 foot plus structure that is 10 feet off the property line of single family residences,” and warned that neighbors “are going to lose their daylight 24/7.” Trigo suggested moving or flipping the north wing to improve sight lines and marketability.

Mayor Robert Stocks opened and closed the hearing; council staff also noted the applicant requested changes including a move “from a plan development overlay district to a general development plan.” The hearing was closed after public comment; no final zoning vote was held at the meeting.

Why it matters: the site sits on the north end of the planned River Walk and near downtown business corridors; the council must balance neighborhood impacts — parking, scale and sunlight — with goals to increase downtown housing and foot traffic.

Next steps: the council completed the public hearing and will consider any formal rezoning ordinance or plan amendment at a later meeting after staff reports and any revisions from the applicant.