Residents raise safety, water and tree-loss concerns over nearby Schneider Homes developments

Several Auburn residents used the council's public-comment period to describe the local impacts of recent and proposed multifamily development by Schneider Homes, including traffic safety near schools, alleged damage to a private well, and removal of mature trees.

Tim Gilmore, who identified himself as a Lehi Hill resident, said Schneider Homes secured zoning changes and then built projects he described as larger than the neighborhood streets could handle. Gilmore said a 14.5-acre parcel at the end of his street was rezoned to multifamily and later developed, and that the company is again seeking approval for property on the opposite corner of 3rd Avenue Northeast.

"They ruined my well that had been down there from 1966," Gilmore told the council, saying King County had previously told him Schneider Homes should provide bottled water until the problem was fixed. He said he has not received ongoing remediation and that nearby construction has harmed his well water.

Gilmore also described traffic and safety concerns near several schools that now draw students from the new housing, saying he and others performed traffic studies that showed failing conditions before dense housing was built. "We need a pedestrian overpass or a pedestrian underpass," he said.

Virginia Haugen spoke separately about changes she attributes to the city's comprehensive plan and to developers buying and dividing lots, saying smaller lot sizes and new development have altered neighborhood character and strained local resources including water.

Both speakers described loss of mature trees during development and frustration that promised park work has not been completed in coordination with new housing. Gilmore said residents were told no new occupants would move in until a park was completed but said that condition was not fulfilled.

The council did not take action on the concerns during the meeting; the remarks were part of the public-comment period. Council members acknowledged the comments during later reports but made no motions or referrals related to the specific Schneider Homes properties at this meeting.

Issues raised during public comment touch on land-use approvals, King County actions that predated some development, local road capacity, school-area pedestrian safety, private well impacts allegedly connected to construction, tree removal, and an incomplete park commitment. No city staff reply or formal staff report was provided at the meeting.