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Dockside District rezone: mixed-use up to 6 stories

A proposal to rezone 14 acres of old waterfront industrial land for housing, shops, and public shoreline access.

Updated Thu, July 2· Decided by: Planning Commission (recommendation) → City Council (final)
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What is happening

The Planning Commission is considering rezoning the Dockside District — the strip of aging warehouses between Harbor Ave and the creek mouth — from Industrial (I-2) to Mixed-Use Waterfront (MU-W). The change would allow residential buildings up to 6 stories, ground-floor commercial, and would require a continuous public path along the water. A formal comment period is open until July 18, and a public hearing is set for July 21.

Why it might matter

This is the largest land-use change proposed in Alder Creek in a decade. It could add roughly 600–900 homes over 15 years in a town short on housing, reshape the working waterfront, and determine whether the shoreline becomes publicly walkable. It also interacts with flood planning: part of the district sits in the area FEMA is currently remapping.

What is known

  • The proposal covers 14.2 acres and 23 parcels; 9 parcels are owned by two holding companies (staff report, p. 4).
  • Maximum height would rise from 45 ft (industrial) to 75 ft with a shoreline stepback (draft code amendment §17.44).
  • The draft requires a 20-ft public shoreline easement as a condition of redevelopment.
  • City traffic modeling estimates +2,100 daily vehicle trips at full build-out, concentrated on Harbor Ave.
  • Written comments received so far: 214 (as of July 1, per planning staff).

Still uncertain

  • Whether existing marine businesses will receive relocation assistance — staff say options are "being explored" but nothing is drafted.
  • How the pending FEMA floodplain remap will constrain the two lowest-lying parcels; the remap is not final until late 2026.
  • Actual build-out pace. The 600–900 home figure is a 15-year planning estimate, not a commitment by any developer.
  • Whether the shoreline path would be built per-parcel (as each redevelops) or as one early public project.

Open questions are listed on purpose. Treat certainty claims you see elsewhere against this list.

Who or what may be affected

Renters and homebuyers

More housing supply near downtown could ease long-run price pressure — how much depends on what actually gets built, and when.

Marine businesses in the district

Current boatyard and fabrication tenants hold leases that a rezone could make non-renewable. Relocation support is not yet defined.

Harbor Ave neighbors

Taller buildings, more traffic, and construction years — alongside a new shoreline path and retail within walking distance.

Everyone downstream of the creek mouth

Stormwater and shoreline treatment standards in the new zone will affect water quality at the town beach.

Thoughtful actions available

Submit a written comment

Written comment · 30 minutes · by Sat, July 18

Comments received by July 18 enter the official record the Commission must respond to. Specific, local knowledge (drainage, traffic, business impacts) carries the most weight.

Draft this with help

Speak at the July 21 hearing

Show up · an evening · by Tue, July 21

Sign up at the door; 3 minutes per speaker. You can also attend without speaking — commissioners notice the room.

Read the 6-page staff summary first

Get oriented · 15 minutes

The full packet is 240 pages, but the staff summary covers the actual decision points. Ask Groundwire to explain any section.

Sources

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