The rezone of three industrial areas in Ballard could lead to more jobs and housing in the neighborhood. But, some fear it will also lead to an increase in noise complaints and conflict between residents and industries.

Andrea Petzel, spokesperson for the Seattle Department of Planning and Development, presented the plans for the rezone to the Ballard District Council Oct. 14.

As previously reported in the Ballard News-Tribune, the rezone will affect the north side of Market Street from 25th Avenue to 30th Avenue, the south side of Market Street from 26th Avenue to 30th Avenue, and Leary Avenue between 15th Avenue and 20th Avenue.

The area on the north side of Market will be rezoned into Neighborhood Commercial. The rezone will allow for a limited amount of residential development of up to 40 feet in that area, Petzel said.

The other two areas will become Industrial Commercial zones, which do not allow housing, and which are typically used for commercial and office space.

Petzel said the Ballard Interbay Northend Manufacturing and Industrial Center and the Ballard Chamber of Commerce asked for Industrial Commercial zoning in Ballard to balance the recent increase in housing density with an increase in jobs.

"Industrial Commercial is really our core commercial zone," Petzel said. "That's where you bring in jobs."

Because of the change to Industrial Commercial, new projects in the area will have to go through the city's design review process, leading to more quality development, Petzel said.

Warren Aakervik, president of Ballard Oil and a member of the BINMIC, expressed concern over possible noise complaints that could arise due to new development in the rezoned areas near the BINMIC.

Petzel said the new Industrial Commercial zone on the south side of Market Street that abuts BINMIC land will include a restrictive covenant that office and commercial tenants would have to sign indicating they are near an industrial area and expect noise.

Aakervik said noise could carry from the BINMIC to the north side of Market Street where the rezone will now allow residential development. He said he would prefer to have that area be reclassified as Industrial Commercial as well.

Petzel said noise should not be a problem on the north side of Market and an Industrial Commercial zone would conflict with the residential area that starts on 56th Street.

No areas of the BINMIC will be rezoned.

There is a public open house from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. today in the cafeteria auditorium of Swedish Hospital at 5300 Tallman Ave. N.W.

Petzel said these recommendations for the rezone will be put before the Seattle City Council for consideration, but the council will most likely not look at them before early spring.