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EVERETT 2044 <br />COMPREHENSIVE PLAN <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />6/17/2025 <br />COMPREHENSIVE PLAN <br />DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT ELEMENT <br /> Page 43 <br />Middle housing, apartments, and condominiums <br />The layout and density of Everett’s neighborhoods will change as the city’s population increases and <br />new housing is developed to meet the needs of new and existing residents. <br />The development of middle housing as required by Washington State law, with the enactment of House <br />Bill 1110, allows for additional middle-scale housing types and units on most residential lots. A diversity <br />of housing options, including accessory dwelling units, cottage housing, townhomes and multiunit <br />buildings, allow individuals and families to choose the housing that best suits their needs. Housing <br />diversity also allows for various housing arrangements to meet social and cultural needs, such as multi- <br />generational households, as well as aging-in-place as individuals’ needs change over time. The policies <br />contained in this element work to integrate a diverse housing stock, especially encouraging middle-scale <br />housing styles into Everett’s neighborhoods. <br />Many of Everett’s new residential dwellings will be constructed as apartments and condominiums. It is <br />planned that apartment and condominium buildings will enhance neighborhoods through design that is <br />in compliance with development policies that promotes attractive, engaging, and distinct architecture. It <br />is also important that new developments are designed with context-appropriate landscaping, building <br />design, and public art, along with quality pedestrian facilities to improve the appearance and <br />functionality of these developments and nearby areas, support and reinforce positive neighborhood <br />qualities, and improve livability. <br />Landscaping <br />Growth brings with it the challenge of ensuring that new development contributes positively to the city <br />through design that is attractive, engaging, and distinct. Protecting existing landscape features, such as <br />mature trees, and designing new developments with context-appropriate landscaping, supports and <br />reinforces positive neighborhood qualities and improve livability. <br />Plantings and landscape design that limit and/or mitigate negative air quality and noise impacts to <br />building users and residents, particularly in areas near freeways, high traffic streets, and other sources <br />of air pollution, are important for the health of the neighborhood. <br />As the city changes, there are opportunities to enhance and expand the tree canopy, support landscape <br />health and promote natural drainage as part of new development. Low-impact and sustainable <br />development techniques can help protect and support natural features, reduce long-term <br />environmental impacts, and foster climate resilient communities.