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Public commenters urge tree protections, livability and neighborhood carve-outs while others press for more homes and green-building incentives
Summary
During public comment at the March 19 Select Committee meeting, residents and advocates pressed for tree protections and neighborhood-specific upzone exemptions (notably a NE 45th petition), raised infrastructure and displacement concerns, and pro-density advocates urged courtyard designs, passive-house and mass-timber incentives.
Dozens of residents and advocates used the committee's 60-minute public comment period on March 19 to press the council on trees, neighborhood compatibility, infrastructure, displacement and how the Phase Two zoning package will be implemented.
Sandy of Tree Action Seattle opened by warning that proposed center and neighborhood zoning would permit 85–100% lot coverage and leave no space for trees in many centers. "We need to choose purpose over pavement," Sandy said, and urged that amenity areas be required to include space for large trees to reduce urban heat-island impacts in neighborhoods such as the Central District and Rainier Beach.
Multiple speakers asked the committee to retain neighborhood residential zoning in small, locally distinct areas. Colleen, representing the First Community Council, and callers Sarah Scott and Tyson said a four- to five-block spur along Northeast 45th Street has petition support (about 1,500 signatures) and argued that steep slopes, lack of transit and historic single-family homes make LR3 upzoning inappropriate there.
Others focused on downtown concerns. Megan Cruz urged a completed up-zoning map for downtown and questioned affordability outcomes: she said 97% of downtown projects had paid fees instead of providing on-site affordable units and that many homes appear seasonally occupied. Tina and Julia asked for enforceable livability standards — light, tower spacing, family-sized units and usable open space — and recommended stronger coordination among city, county and regional agencies for high-change streets such as Third Avenue.
Speakers also clashed on whether more housing will lower costs. Jesse Simpson, co-chair of the Completed Communities Coalition, said adding homes near transit is critical and urged courtyard blocks and green-building incentives. By contrast, Ruth and Susan cited research suggesting deregulation alone may not reduce prices and urged consideration of tools such as land-value capture and accounting for infrastructure and climate impacts (stormwater, sewage, electricity).
An allegation by David Haynes that some council members who own rental property face conflicts of interest was raised during public comment; the transcript records the allegation but no formal response during the meeting.
The public comment period closed and the committee moved to the OPCD's Phase Two presentation; the committee scheduled a public hearing on the transmitted legislation for April 6, 2026.
