Subject: Opposition to Shoreline Master Plan Amendments

I am writing to express my displeasure with the process you have used to come to the current point you are at with the proposed amendments to the shoreline master plan AND to let you know the depth of my OPPOSITION to the proposed changes in allowable building heights on the isthmus. I attended the City Council meeting on Tuesday, but after 4 hours I neededto return home because I have a young child.

I was quite impressed with the many points raised by the wise strong majority of concerned citizens. Together they compiled a long list of possible alternate steps for the City Council to consider. I think most of us are in agreement with your expressed underlying goals, but we have serious doubts about whether the proposed amendments are a prudent step in the correct direction. Don't let yourself get mesmerized by the builders and contractors who promise you decreased auto traffic, increased tax revenues and low environmental and community impacts. The studies upon which they base their dollar sign greed are flawed. Talking to one contractor in the lobby he said if housing were built on the proposed lots, local merchants would move in there and walk to work. Why don't you take a poll of downtown merchants and see what percentage, without even a shred of commitment, think they would do that? With 90% of the community opposed to increasing the height restrictions who do you think will move in there? I think it will be commuters to the bigger cities up north.This will not decrease our auto traffic.

I have many many concerns, but two that I have not heard raised yet are:
1) The shadows caused by the buildings will fall onto the boardwalk andinto Sylvester Park and the Fountain area. We have only 60/360 days ofsunshine per year and we need those rays in the public open spaces. You may not know how tall a building is if you stand right next to it, but if you move 40 feet away you know by the length of the shadow!
2) The proposed areas of increased height are all on landfill. Yes, you can trust the building codes and the seismic engineers to secure the building "to code" but we all know how the ground rippled on Deschutes Parkway. The seismic codes have not been tested by a "big one" and are only estimates to reduce damage of up to a 5.0 earthquake. Guess what? We'll be getting one bigger than 5.0 and the deaths and damage resulting from building high rises there will lay squarely on your shoulders. You will not be able to avoid the guilt. It will not be the builders fault.

I have much more I'd like to say, especially regarding the great ideas I hope you gleaned from the many elders and activists who are attempting to broaden your consulting base beyond what you've paid for and sought out for yourselves. Please do not turn our isthmus/shoreline into Lego land.

Kayana Hoagland
South Puget Sound Community College
khoagland@spscc.ctc.edu