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City moves ahead with DRI letter of intent and expanded waterfront environmental review
Summary
City staff recommended submitting a letter of intent for the DRI application round to secure technical assistance and discussed an expanded cumulative environmental review for three waterfront sites covering transportation, stormwater, viewshed, historic resources and socioeconomic impacts affecting about 276 units and commercial space.
Carol Sammel told the council staff would prepare a letter of intent to seek technical assistance from the state for a new DRI (Downtown Revitalization Initiative) application and noted the process is competitive. "We just wanna get the letter of intent out so that we can have some technical advice," she said, explaining that early engagement unlocks state technical assistance that improves project focus.
Sammel also reviewed a revised scope for a cumulative environmental impact study covering three city‑owned waterfront parking sites. She said the draft scope contemplates approximately 276 residential units, about 11,000 square feet of commercial space, a hotel and associated parking; the study will examine traffic (including a Saturday midday qualitative peak), stormwater mitigation, lighting and dark‑sky recommendations, historic and archaeological resources, viewshed and potential socioeconomic effects including business displacement and gentrification concerns.
Staff said they will pause major environmental work until negotiations with developers progress but will complete a cumulative study before project referrals and that the revised scope is posted on the city web page. Councilmembers urged attention to trail linkages, signage and coordination with adjacent jurisdictions for a regional waterfront approach.
