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Residents warn rezoning could worsen traffic, flooding and wildlife impacts
Summary
Speakers at the Jan. 21 hearing warned that the proposed rezoning could add housing density, place new traffic on Wedeln Road, raise flooding risks, and affect wildlife that currently use the hillsides, asking for traffic studies and environmental facts before approval.
Multiple residents raised infrastructure and environmental concerns during the public hearing on Ordinance No. 555.
Tom Ward, speaking on behalf of Tom and Ann Ward, said the neighborhood road cannot absorb substantial new traffic: "You cannot consider having 50 some homes offloading their traffic onto this small road (Wedeln) that is already in trouble," he said. Jo Ann Levy and others expressed flooding concerns and urged the Council to consider hydrology before approving zoning changes. John Trimper asked about impacts to animals that currently visit his property, requesting environmental and road studies before any approval of development entitlements.
Council members acknowledged the concerns and emphasized that the rezoning action itself does not authorize a specific development proposal. Staff and the City Attorney indicated that procedural requirements for the rezoning had been met; Council directed staff to refine findings and bring the ordinance back for a second reading where such impacts can be considered further.
