Is indifference part of city’s zoning plan?

Published 12:36 pm Thursday, January 24, 2008

To the members of the Planning Commission:

I attended the Planning Commission meeting last night (Jan. 17), but there was not time for me to speak and by Feb. 21, everyone will have forgotten where the discussion left off.

First, I understand CB Zoning issue is not technically a rezoning. However, the intention is to make zoning requirements for CB the same as those for RB. Second, I understand my property is not directly involved. However, you surely appreciate how everyone in Shoreline feels city rezoning plans breathing down their necks, particularly those of us who live between Ashworth and Fremont.

Last night during the 32nd Avenue Rezone discussion, we heard about what was probably once a nice neighborhood of small, affordable family homes with kids playing in the street. The grown-ups probably worked in their yards and had block parties once or twice a year. In other words, it was much like my neighborhood — which is adjacent to the Overland Trailer Court. Following years of neglect, indifference and bad planning, owners of property on 32nd Avenue appeared last night begging you to rezone their property so their houses can be replaced with multiple family housing. One man said “the time to act was five or 10 years ago,” not now.

Will I be back in five to 10 years begging you to rezone the property on which my small, affordable family home sits? In his 12/17/07 letter to the City Council, the developer proposed up-zoning property adjacent to the Overland project. Is this the plan for Shoreline — “intensive development” followed by indifference and reduced city services leading to up-zoning and more “intensive development”? I hope you can see how this appears to be the plan to my neighbors and me.

Most of my neighbors (and I) have upgraded our property — we have replaced wiring and plumbing, installed double pane windows and landscaped. With all due respect to Mrs. Wacker, in five to 10 years when I come back to plead for rezoning, I don’t want to hear that 70 percent of the homes on Stone, Interlake and Ashworth are “functionally obsolete.” They will be obsolete because of direct action or inaction by the city of Shoreline.

Susan Melville

Shoreline