Thursday, March 28, 2024

Proposed amendments tabled for later date

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For two years, the Planning Commission has been exhausting avenues and expanding on ideas to formulate a plan for tackling the hot button issue of affordable housing. Leavenworth is a coveted spot to settle into a home, however finding a home, especially at a reasonable price, is difficult. So the Planning Commission presented to the city proposed amendments to dissolve some of the barriers for more diverse housing.
    "Why change the existing code? In 2016 the city initiated the Housing Task Force to investigate and evaluate housing needs and research tools for improving housing options," read Lilith Vespier, Development Services Manager. "The Housing Task Force used the report and local knowledge to make recommendations to the City Council and Planning Commission to create initiatives and codes to promote mixed income development in neighborhoods across the city."
    The Planned Development amendment, 1588, and Development Standards amendment, 1589, were the primary topic of the public hearing regarding the amendments. The reduction in lot sizes, dimensional standards and setbacks is a way to diversify housing options in Leavenworth.
    This brought forth controversy and residents viewed the amendments from two different angles. Some residents verbally applauded the commission for their hard work since 2016 on finding a way to diversify housing in Leavenworth.
    "I am a resident speaking in support of these changes to the zoning codes. I am very happy to see a proposal to increase density within city limits," said Allison Miller. "This moderate increase in density seems that it will be very beneficial in encouraging more homes on smaller lots which by nature cost less than homes on bigger lots."
    Other residents expressed grief and outrage due to feeling left out of the process. Some individuals that spoke during public comment felt that the community was shunned from the process. Other individuals found fault in the amendments because they believed it catered to developers, not people searching for a reasonably priced home or for public benefit.
    "We do not see any public benefit in the proposed zone changes rather the exact opposite. Why are these staff employees, who we pay with our taxes, going completely against the character of Leavenworth that we want to maintain. We have clearly stated that any development should keep Leavenworth relaxed, small town, fun loving character instead of becoming another stacked and packed condo city," said Ann Crosby.
    Council members and two planning commissioners responded to the feedback. All of the public figures had varying responses to the amendments. Each of them fell a little differently on the spectrum, while Mayor Farivar was firm that she advised the council to pass the amendments. Mia Bretz reminded the audience that this is just one tool in the affordable housing toolbox. She stated it was a way to alleviate the challenges with house pricing and offer those that fall in the median income housing options - it is not an overarching solution.
    Whereas council member, Sharon Waters, felt the community was intertwined in the process enough and that the plan caters toward developers, not residents.
    "It seems the direction is more into a developers free for all. I also feel residential zones are being circumvented to open the door for anything goes. Creating an erosion of the character of and quality of life in our neighborhoods," said Waters.
    Planning Commission member, Anne Hessburg, along with fellow commissioner Scott Bradshaw, addressed the crowd, stressing that the public has to want to be intertwined in the entire process and that the Planning Commission wants the public to be actively involved in these decisions - just not to wait till the eleventh hour to express opinions.
    "I would really like encourage the general public, if you do want to be apart of this and be apart of the public process and have your hand in how this code is developed and amended and changed over time to meet the needs of our community - please come and participate with us," said Hessburg.
    The amendments were tabled until a later date when the public and some council members have more knowledge and familiarity with what the amendments entail.

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