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Downtown residents urge caution on upzoning; ask for landmark and service protections
Summary
Downtown residents told the committee upzoning proposals risk overwhelming 3rd Avenue service and loading access and urged clearer district boundaries and SEPA updates for Pike Place Market and waterfront areas.
Megan Cruz, a downtown resident, told the committee the regional plan’s technical assumptions risk producing "market rate towers of 500 to 1000 homes with parking for 75% of the unit," which she said is not sustainable for service vehicle access on 3rd Avenue. "Up zoning without these requirements to deliver these elements is like writing a blank check without oversight," Cruz said, urging the city to partner with downtown neighborhood councils and restore a project review process.
Jean Bateman, a 35‑year downtown resident and small business owner, asked staff to show clearer district boundaries for places such as the Pike Place Market Historical District and to update the related SEPA document, which she said currently mislabels the market's legal designation. Both commenters asked the council to include cultural strategy details that were mentioned in the draft plan but not described; OPCD staff said public comments were reviewed and some changes were incorporated into the draft.
