Writing to City Hall can feel intimidating, but you don’t need to be a professional urban planner to make an impact. In fact, the most effective emails are the ones that only a neighbor could write.
If you want to help protect 39th Ave SW from the proposed LR2 upzone, here is a simple “CRISP” framework to help you find your voice.
The “CRISP” Checklist for Your Email
- C: Concise. Keep it to one page (or about 3-4 short paragraphs). Public officials and their staff scan hundreds of emails a day—make your point quickly.
- R: Respectful. Avoid sarcasm or “yelling” in all caps. You can be firm in your opposition while remaining professional. Officials are more likely to engage with a “reasonable neighbor” than a hostile one.
- I: Important. Demonstrate why this issue matters to the entire constituency. Mention how this affects the neighborhood’s stability, not just your own backyard.
- S: Specific. Don’t just say you’re against the plan. Name the specific block: “The east side of 39th Ave SW from Morgan to Raymond.” This makes your feedback actionable for the mapping team.
- P: Personal. This is your superpower. Form letters are often ignored, but a personal story about your history on the block or a specific physical detail about the street sticks in a reader’s mind.
How to Structure Your Email
1. The Hook (Who are you?)
Start by identifying yourself as a constituent.
- Example: “My name is [Name], and I’ve lived on 39th Ave SW for [Number] years. My kids grew up walking these sidewalks to school.”
2. The Pivot (What is the problem?)
Connect your personal experience to a technical concern. This is where you mention Anti-Displacement or Infrastructure.
- Example: “Because our street is narrow and sloped, I am deeply concerned that the proposed LR2 zoning will create a ‘teardown incentive’ for our older, naturally affordable homes, which directly contradicts the City’s anti-displacement goals.”
3. The Evidence (Why should they believe you?)
Mention the “ground-truth” that the 2D maps miss.
- Example: “A 2D map doesn’t show that 39th is a quiet residential interior with infrastructure that doesn’t support mid-scale development.”
4. The “Ask” (What do you want them to do?)
Be clear and direct about the outcome you want.
- Example: “I respectfully ask that you maintain Neighborhood Residential zoning for 39th Ave SW to preserve this vital residential buffer.”
Pro-Tips for Your Outreach
- Subject Line: Use a clear one like “39th Ave SW – Morgan Junction Rezoning Feedback.”
- Include your address: It proves you are a voter in their district.
- Invite them to visit: Officials often have a harder time defending a “mismatch” when they are standing on the actual street. Invite them to walk the block with you!