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Residents urge council to block traffic impacts from Rodland Automotive redevelopment
Summary
Neighbors told the Monroe City Council they oppose a proposed conversion of Rodland Automotive into a 13‑unit multifamily development, citing increased traffic on 161st Avenue, lack of sidewalks, parking shortfalls, safety near Parkplace Middle School, and potential soil contamination from past auto repair operations.
Residents of the 160–175th Avenue area told the Monroe City Council on April 14 that a proposed redevelopment of the Rodland Automotive site would bring too much traffic and infrastructure strain into their neighborhood.
"I live on 175th Avenue Southeast right behind Rodland Automotive and that's what I came to talk about today," Colby Rogers said, describing concerns about increased traffic, noise and potential contamination from decades of automotive work.
Several speakers described a plan they said shows three buildings with 13 units and two parking spaces per unit, warning that often only the minimum parking is provided and that overflow vehicles, trailers and visitor cars would spill into narrow residential streets. Charles MacArthur said the neighborhood lacks sidewalks and is primarily single‑story housing, and asked the council to limit new buildings to two stories and to close internal access that would route development traffic through neighborhood streets rather than onto Main Street.
Other residents echoed safety worries. Rhonda Tumi said bus pickups near Parkplace Middle School and vehicles parked near hydrants already create sight‑line hazards; Mike Peropo said the neighborhood lacks sidewalks and adequate street lighting and that adding roughly 26 vehicle trips would endanger children walking to and from school.
Several residents also raised property‑specific concerns: Eric Clay said he was surprised to learn of a utility easement (plot TR999) that allowed workers to cross private yards during past projects and urged developers to secure easements rather than using neighbors' fences and lawns for access.
Speakers urged the council and staff to require access from Main Street rather than 161st, add sidewalks where none exist, and carefully evaluate parking and circulation in any development application. The public comment period closed without a council response at the meeting; the council did not take immediate action on the Rodland site during the April 14 session.
