The city of Aberdeen wants to rezone land next to Grays Harbor College for multi-family apartments, but a few of the residents are unhappy about it.

In the area of Griffith and South Lewis streets, near Alder Creek, there is a need for affordable housing and more student housing.

“The properties are currently zoned general commercial and residential single-family,” according to city documents. “The city is proposing to rezone this area to major institutional — which will change to civic with the new zoning code. This zone is a better fit for the surrounding area and adjacent properties.”

The issue has been going on for longer than a year, at least. The proposed project is called the S. Lewis Street Aberdeen Multi-Family Development. JOPE Development LLC., applied in March 2023 for the re-zoning with the city. The point of re-zoning is to make three 12-plex multi-family apartment buildings with parking.

The rezone application states the total size of the property in question to be 1.06 acres.

“This development would provide much needed affordable housing to Aberdeen residents,” the application states. “Grays Harbor Community College would have more housing for new and returning students.”

According to the SEPA Environmental Checklist, which is part of JOPE’s application, the company does not “have any plans for future additions, expansion, or further activity related to or connected with this proposal.”

A few residents, according to city documents, have expressed negative views because they want their area to remain undeveloped.

The first resident, who lives about one-quarter mile east of Alder Creek, knows how close his family’s home is to the land parcel numbers — 029105601300 and 029105600900. The parcel numbers refer to land along the western border of West Lewis Street, and a southern border of Griffith Street.

“I do not wish for this rezoning to be approved,” the first resident said. “I highly value our quiet neighborhood and the wonderful nature that surrounds us. One of my greatest joys is taking my six-year-old daughter on a walk and remarking upon the birds, deer and butterflies, among other fauna that we might encounter along the way. We enjoy peace and quiet as we walk, broken only by the occasional birdsong or, on some days, the passing-by of a lone neighborhood car.”

The problem for this first resident is that the city needs more land for housing that is affordable. Most places in Aberdeen have either high rent prices — more than $1,000 per-month — or have increased their rent. And for a college student, such as the ones who live just on the other side of Alder Creek, where are they supposed to go? Where are the single professionals and families who can’t afford a home elsewhere supposed to go?

The first resident claims the “quality of life” will be taken from his family and his neighbors.

“Stuffing 36 families/occupants so near to us will increase the traffic density and noise immensely,” the first resident states.

Where else in Aberdeen isn’t crowded with traffic and noise? Cue the crotch rockets, large trucks and other loud car engines along B Street, along Sixth Avenue — as some residents during city council have called Interstate 6, and along various other neighborhood streets throughout the city.

And according to the SEPA checklist, “construction noises for equipment operation and building,” the document states, “would be during city ordinance indicated times only.”

To further the point of how noise is supposed to be mitigated, in the application JOPE sent in March 2023, the development company was required to list conditions to “safeguard the surrounding neighborhood from potential nuisances or hazards emanating from the subject property.”

The development company did just that.

“There will be rules and restrictions on tenants to be mindful of other tenants and neighbors,” the application states. “All construction crews will abide by noise ordinance rules and regulations existing for the city of Aberdeen.”

Another resident, call him “the second resident,” however, let the city know of his support for the re-zoning.

“I am therefore letting you know I am lending my support for this re-zoning action,” the second resident said. The second resident did not state a reason why he was for the rezone.

Another resident, call them the “third resident”, has lived in their home since 1967. The resident contends “in 1970-1980 we were told that whole area was wetlands and building wasn’t allowed.”

“I have since seen owls, ducks, porcupine, raccoon, deer, cougar and bear in the area (in) question,” the third resident stated in March 2023. “I worry about their care and impact if these apartments are built.”

Lisa Scott, Aberdeen’s community development director, said, in reference to the wetlands that “no development is planned for this area.”

“None of the proposed development would be disturbing wetlands,” Scott said.

As for the timing, the city is updating the zoning code, which would have moved the area in question into “Civic,” and the rezone would not have been necessary, according to Scott.

“But, because the developer wants to move forward with the development now, the new zoning code would not have been adopted yet so therefore the rezone is necessary,” Scott said.

Contact Reporter Matthew N. Wells at matthew.wells@thedailyworld.com.