City planning board still undecided on downtown zoning

Some progress was made on Kent's downtown strategic plan Monday night at a city Land Use and Planning Board meeting, with key voices in favor of and against rezoning specific areas downtown.

Some progress was made on Kent’s downtown strategic plan Monday night at a city Land Use and Planning Board meeting, with key voices in favor of and against rezoning specific areas downtown.

Tina Budell, president of the North Park Neighborhood Council, reiterated the dangers of changing the zoning from townhouses to general multi-use commercial. Budell noted that changing the zoning could incentivize property owners to sell property for development – houses and apartments that are occupied by low-income families.

Alan Grey, North Park Neighborhood board chairman, agreed with Budell, saying that he felt that zoning plans have been “whittling away” at the neighborhood, and fears that eventually rezoning and development will damage the community.

“It seems to me that we have a viable neighborhood, and we’re chipping away at it,” Grey said. “Where do we stop?”

A large part of the contention was over the small square of neighborhood between Cloudy, Fourth and Fifth streets. The parcel was determined by the Downtown Steering Committee as an economic development site due to its proximity to the ShoWare Center.

“Were there any representatives from the North Park area?” Grey asked. The answer was no.

Several citizens claim the city has taken a top-down approach to economic development. Ralph LoPriore, who has lived in Kent for 30 years and owns Mariscos restaurant on Meeker Street, worries that the zoning regulations will change how he can use his property. By incorporating multi-use zoning and general commercial zoning, LoPriore fears that the city will require the owners to make their businesses residence friendly.

“It’s always been every time they want to do something, it’s never in favor of you, it’s always in favor of what they want,” he said.

LoPriore said that he would like to feel more included in planning for the city, sentiment that the North Park group shares.

Bruce Malcolm, who also sits on the North Park Neighborhood Council, said that “in the past, things have been done kind of in the dark of night.” From now on, he said, the neighborhoods will keep a closer eye on city developments.

Board member Steve Dowell brought the discussion back to the immediate few years, saying that the changes that many of the North Park residents fear may be a long time in the making.

“It’s going to take awhile to come about, properties have to change hands,” he said. In the end, Dowell reiterated that the planning board doesn’t have the final say. They’re “welcome to argue their point here,” he said, but the City Council will make the final decisions.

The planning board voted to table the discussion until its next meeting on Aug. 12 at City Hall.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

t
SeaTac man, 21, fatally shot in vehicle in Kent on West Hill

Someone ran up and fired multiple shots into vehicle Nov. 21 at Veterans Drive and Military Road

Kentwood High School, 25800 164th Ave. SE, in Covington, remained without power Thursday morning, Nov. 21, according to Puget Sound Energy. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Kent schools remain closed due to windstorm damage, power outages

Second consecutive day of closures Thursday, Nov. 21 across the Kent School District

t
Kent-based Puget Sound Fire calls windstorm ‘one for the ages’

Agency responds to 308 calls in 12-hour period, including 245 for storm-related issues

Crews clear trees from State Route 18, which the Washington State Patrol closed in both directions Wednesday, Nov. 20, from Issaquah Hobart to I-90 over Tiger Mountain because of fallen trees during a windstorm. COURTESY PHOTO, Washington State Patrol
Windstorm closes Kent schools, roads due to fallen trees

Many without power in areas of Kent and beyond

t
“Prolific” vehicular theft suspect arrested in Renton

Kent man holds 13 prior convictions and 41 arrests.

tt
Green Kent volunteer program wraps up season at city park

Volunteers remove invasive species, plant native trees and shrubs at Mill Creek Canyon Earthworks Park

t
Copper-wire thieves damage Kent Senior Center roof refrigeration unit

Facility temporarily loses commercial kitchen refrigerator but staff, community keep meals going

t
16-year-old girl dies in Covington single-car crash

Teen was driving when car crashed into a tree Nov. 15 along SE 256th Street just east of Kent

t
Kent Police Blotter: Oct. 24-Nov. 7

Incidents include carjacking, juvenile fight, stolen vehicle pursuit

t
State Patrol catches a pair of motorcycles going over 100 mph on I-5

See a video of their arrest. Agency uses air surveillance to pursue from Federal Way to Renton

Photos by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing
Official ribbon cutting for the Kent Valley Bezos Academy, which is still accepting applications for the 2024-2025 school year.
Kent Valley Bezos Academy offers student-driven preschool experience

New school offers free enrollment to children of income-eligible families