2014/03/12 Council Agenda Packet

3 Everett Riverfront District—Staff Report to City Council A. Background Information: On December 17,2013,the Planning Commission held a workshop/briefing on the Riverfront project introducing the Riverfront Project and Polygon to the Planning Commission.On January 7,2014,the Planning Commission held a Public Hearing on the Riverfront project concerning the changes to the development agreement proposed by Polygon. The public comments on the project have been provided to the City Council. After the January 7,2014,Planning Commission meeting Polygon revised the site plan for the Simpson site to more closely reflect aspects of the original site plan including:the street system,open space,alley access lots, and the neighborhood green. The revisions were in response to the input by the public and the Planning Commission. Planning Staff also consulted with the City Attorney Office on the scope of the Planning Commission review as requested by the Planning Commission. The City Attorney conclusion was the issue of residential density was not subject to Planning Commission review. The Planning Commission review was limited to a review of the Development Agreement changes requested by Polygon. On February 11,2014,the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the revised Polygon proposal. After taking public testimony the Planning Commission approved unanimously the revised site plan and standards proposed by Polygon with some additions and comments. The proposed changes to the plan and Development Agreement are highlighted in the attached ordinance and summarized below. The Riverfront project is a complex public/private partnership with agreements which were established on the best information at the time. The Property Disposition Agreement has been amended seven times by the City Council as items have come up needing changes. There have been five Addenda to the Final Environmental Impact Statement. An example of an unanticipated change came from the Department of Ecology after agreeing to develop a Memorandum of Agreement(MOA)addressing restoration of the wetland north of Simpson,they backed away from using a MOA because they did not have the budget to have attorneys review the document. The point is that in a project as complicated as the Riverfront project,over time changes are needed which address issues that arise that were not anticipated at the time of the original approval. B. Simpson Neighborhood Streets The Guidelines that accompany the Development Agreement have a variety of street sections. Polygon proposes to use the Residential street standard for the Simpson Pad which is a part of the original Development Agreement. This is a 52 foot right of way with sidewalks on both sides,a landscape median with trees between the sidewalks and curb,parking on one side and two lanes of vehicle travel. Where fences are next to the street there will be a landscape area between the fence and sidewalk. C. Simpson Neighborhood Basic Amendments: 1. The current standards require lots which do not have alley/lane access to have a minimum lot width of at least 50 feet. With an alley,lot widths may be reduced to 40 feet. Polygon proposes front loaded lots with lot widths of 40 and 45 feet and alley loaded lot widths of 36 feet. Most lots with garages facing the street are angled to break up the streetscape. The fronts look more interesting with an angle to the street and the garages are less predominant. 1 45