Dear City Councilmember,

I write to you now to ask for your 'no' vote for the zoning change for the waterfront. My reasons follow as bullets, since there are so many important reasons not to take this step:

* Percival Landing was a good move. It woke up our community to the beauty and value of the waterfront and gave that good to everyone.

* Further, I believe downtown housing is a good as well. But to line the waterfront with tall buildings for the wealthy among us turns the streets into windy corridors, ruins the views for the pedestrian, and gives the waterfront essentially to the wealthy.

* Density downtown is not served by this move. The residences will be large, likely inhabited by a few, and a car space for every bedroom. That does nothing to help downtown, except add car congestion to the streets.

* Shoreline Management Guidelines, though controversial, are meant to protect the beauty and cohesive character of the shoreline. Waterfront needs protection, not exceptions. City of Olympia, as State Capitol, needs to be at the forefront of adhering to Shoreline rulings.

*There is great vigor in downtown. It would be enhanced with downtown housing, but make the housing in progressively taller buildings stepping back from the waterfront. That design best utilizes downtown, provides for views for everyone, and gives the wealthy a place at the table as well, with views from a couple of blocks from water.

* The idea that the Planning Commission has spent funds on this concept well ahead of any public discussion indicates a lack of connection with the community. The public has spoken in resisting selling two other sites for waterfront highrise. When will a true vision of downtown for all emerge?

Thank you for your consideration,

Zena Hartung