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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />CITY OF EVERETT <br />Planning <br />2930 Wetmore Ave., Ste. 8-A <br />Everett, WA 98201 <br />425.257.8731 <br />425.257.8742 fax <br />planning@everettwa.gov <br />everettwa.gov <br />STAFF MEMORANDUM <br /> <br /> <br />TO: Everett City Council <br />FROM: Yorik Stevens-Wajda, AICP, Planning Director <br />DATE: October 9, 2023 <br />MEETING DATE: October 17, 2023 <br />SUBJECT: School Heights Proposed Code Amendments <br /> <br />INTRODUCTION <br />Under the regional growth strategy of VISION 2050, the City of Everett is expected to plan for and <br />accommodate 20% of the population of Snohomish County through 2050. The Washington State Office <br />of Financial Management 2022 Growth Management Act Forecast, Medium Series, predicts a net <br />increase of 29,800 people aged 5 to 19 between 2022 and 2050 in Snohomish County. <br />Everett could see 4,000-6,600 additional school age children by 2050. The lower number uses the city’s <br />existing share of county youth – Everett has 12% of the county’s 5-19 yr olds. The higher number uses a <br />20% share, which is the share of overall population to Everett in the regional growth strategy. <br />At 115-173 gross square feet per student (OSPI median for elementary, middle, and high schools, page <br />2), that growth in school-age population could require 520,000-870,000 additional square feet of school <br />space (public and private) in the next three decades. <br />Many school properties within the city of Everett are limited to 28’ maximum building height, and it <br />would be difficult, costly, and inefficient, or simply impossible, to accommodate the anticipated increase <br />in school enrollment within Everett without a height increase allowance for multistory school buildings. <br />The Everett School District and Mukilteo School District submitted comments to the city during the <br />2019-2020 Rethink Zoning process but were advised that height limits for schools was outside the scope <br />of that project. <br />BACKGROUND <br />The city regulates K-12 school development through the use matrix (EMC 19.05.110), the zoning and <br />building height maps (see the city’s map gallery), and specific use standards of EMC 19.13.180. <br />Definition <br />“School” means a public or private facility that provides teaching or learning. Typical uses include <br />elementary, junior and senior high schools and related uses, except as otherwise specifically defined in <br />this code. “School” does not include a childcare facility, preschool, day care, or an institution of higher <br />education as defined in this chapter. (EMC 19.04.080)