2014/07/16 Council Agenda Packet

Now for the good news: the City of Everett has taken steps to reduce its carbon footprint by supporting land use and transportation links providing transportation alternatives for citizens other than a single occupancy vehicle trip. The City has adopted award winning land use plans focusing on "Transit Oriented Development" along a major North / South gateway, "Evergreen Way" in Everett and in the downtown core. The City maintains its own transit system whose operations are integrated with regional transit providers, including Sound Transit and Community Transit, and is actively engaged in planning for fixed guideway (rail) systems to Everett with Sound Transit. The City is in a joint venture with Community Transit, providing Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) links into King County; and through King County Metro Bus service, BRT service is provided all the way to Seattle beginning this year. This BRT system has been described as the longest such system in the United States. Though that is not verified here, it is a large system indeed. Everett has taken a leadership role in providing transportation infrastructure and alternatives to automobiles. That said, these improvements will not likely be completed until 2030 or later, depending on funding from the Washington State Legislature and subsequent voter approval.(8) Other sources of GHG, and opportunities to reduce it, are in buildings. Everett could take additional steps to improve building requirements intended to reduce GHGs associated with construction and building operations and maintenance. Everett has begun to address walkable and bike -able neighborhoods and "complete streets" (designs that create pedestrian friendly streets). More can be done in this regard, though budget challenges are a limiting factor. Everett has taken good first steps toward reducing GHG emissions and addressing mitigation. The LCAP element can and should examine what more can be done, including developing a menu of options to further reduce GHG emissions. Examples might include: Improve building standards resulting in improved energy efficiency and reduced energy consumption, Examine possibilities with the PUD to use solar, wind and other non-GHG producing energy sources on a larger scale, Continue work with existing partners to hasten transportation alternatives that reduce vehicle miles traveled and GHG emissions, including development of light rail from Lynnwood to Everett, Continue developing livable, walkable and bicycle -able urban spaces that are attractive, well designed and enable people to move without reliance on automobiles, Support incentives for a green (electric car) highway - featuring charging stations for electric vehicles, Support State implementation of clean fuel standards to lower GHG emissions, Work with Snohomish County PUD to develop options to improve energy efficiency, reduce energy consumption and reduce GHGs, 7