Residents press council for tree protections and green bonuses amid upzoning debate

A substantial strand of testimony at the Seattle City Council select committee’s public hearing focused on preserving tree canopy and adding green infrastructure as the city updates zoning maps.

Speakers ranging from neighborhood residents to environmental advocates and parks officials argued that current proposals (as drafted for Phase 2) risk replacing mature urban canopy with impervious surfaces. "The city cut down 1,000‑year‑old trees," Lynn said, urging the council to adopt stronger tree protections. Ruth Williams of the Horton Creek Alliance warned that more paving and tree loss will increase warm, contaminated stormwater and undermine salmon recovery goals.

Several speakers proposed design and policy tools to reconcile tree retention with additional housing. Architects and planning commissioners supported courtyard bonuses and green‑building height incentives as mechanisms to preserve trees while unlocking housing capacity. Jessica Dixon and Deb Lester recommended amending the green‑factor to require amenity areas to include trees, not only hardscape. Caroline Villanova of Seattle Parks offered to assist outreach efforts and urged park‑focused mitigation measures.

Speakers also linked tree protection to equity and public health: Orla and others said cooler, shaded neighborhood centers reduce heat exposure for residents who cannot afford air conditioning, while some commenters connected asthma and other health harms to siting dense housing on busy arterials without green buffers.

The morning hearing recessed at 10:54 a.m. with the public‑comment period to continue in an afternoon in‑person session; councilmembers will receive emailed full comments and are expected to consider amendments to green‑factor and amenity requirements during committee deliberations.