2025/06/18 Council Agenda Packet

EVERETT 2044 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN 6/17/2025 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN URBAN FORM ELEMENT Page 16 subdivisions with limited connections and spotty pedestrian and bicycle facilities. The southwestern corner of the city is a large industrial manufacturing area centered around the 99-acre Boeing plant and Paine Field Airport. Everett’s location at the mouth of the Snohomish River Valley and along the tidal waters of Port Gardner Bay provides a multitude of ecologically, economically, and aesthetically valuable natural resources and ecosystem services. The river, streams, aquifers, and floodplains convey and store water and provide critical habitat for native fish and aquatic species. Natural areas and vegetation clean and cool Everett’s air and water, soak up rainwater and provide wildlife habitat. The deep waters of Port Gardner Bay support trade, commerce, and sea life. Many of these resources also trap carbon and reduce urban heat island effects. These natural resources are key contributors to Everett’s identity, economy, reputation, and sense of place. The City is committed to restoring and maintaining a high-quality environment; however, many of Everett’s natural resources have been lost over time or are currently at risk. Development increases stormwater runoff which in turn erodes stream channels and pollutes waterways making them unable to support healthy habitat. The City’s land use plans and investments were, and will continue to be, instrumental in helping to guide and understand effective approaches to preserving natural resources. Our City Everett is planning for an increase of 65,000 residents for a total population to 179,200 in 2044. To accommodate the new residents, 36,500 dwellings will be needed. The urban form of the city will require change to meet the future growth. While planning the urban form of the city, the well-being and health of the community must be at the forefront of the planning process. Everett’s urban form policies support a sustainable growth strategy consistent with the city’s vision for the future and its role as a Metropolitan City in the regional growth strategy of Vision 2050. The growth strategy for Everett: • Directs most of the growth to Downtown, along Broadway and Evergreen Way and Everett Mall Way and at high-capacity transit station areas. These areas are served by a range of transportation options and are ripe for commercial and residential mixed-use development. • Supports the health and vitality of residential neighborhoods by planning for small local businesses, such as cafés or corner stores. • Allows a wider range of housing types to support people in many different types of households and at all stages in life. Everett works to meet the requirements of the Growth Management Act.