Seabright Plaza development

Read from a joint neighborhood letter opposing the six-story project, arguing housing policy must be weighed with traffic, safety, businesses and neighborhood character.

Warned the project would displace Ace Hardware, the Bagelry and Akira, with smaller and likely unaffordable replacement commercial space.

Raised traffic, parking and public safety concerns at the already congested Soquel/Seabright bottleneck near an elementary school.

Urged responsible planning that welcomes housing but evaluates site fit, and asked the council to reject the Workbench proposals and enable real community participation.

Representing 'Save Our Seabright' (245 neighbors), asked the council to reject the current development plans and protect local jobs and businesses.

Said she surveyed the twelve affected businesses and counted roughly 50 employees who would lose their jobs.

Feared losing Lower Seabright's identity as one of the neighborhood's two walkable commercial centers.

A former planner who argued housing doesn't build a tax base and urged a phased development preserving existing businesses.

A longtime Seabright resident vowing neighbors will come back with options and solutions because 'this doesn't fly for us.'

A member of the family behind Lillian's corner, warned ripping out 20-30% of the corner's businesses would devastate an area built over 110 years.

Worried that thousands of new residents will overwhelm already-strained healthcare providers like Dominican Hospital.