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Page 3 <br /> Commission? Mr. Giffen responded that the request was made through the Mayor's <br /> office and referred to the Planning Department to bring before the Planning <br /> Commission. Mr. Mascarenas asked Mr. Giffen if he felt that the revision had merit by <br /> going through the Mayor's office or was it more political. Mr. Giffen responded that the <br /> request was consistent with the comprehensive plan and in his opinion, if it is consistent <br /> with the comprehensive plan it has merit. <br /> Valerie Steel, 2521 Grand Avenue, stated that she felt that the 1950's zoning should be <br /> reviewed and updated into more of a melded version of B-3 and C-1 zoning standards <br /> to meet the needs of a more vibrant downtown area. She would also like the <br /> Commission to consider the developer's forum report regarding height in Everett - that <br /> the market can not handle high rise now, that the economics are too questionable and <br /> there is no room for error. She added that in Tacoma, height was changed from 200 <br /> feet to 100 feet to stimulate development. Everett has tremendous assets with <br /> outstanding views of the sound, estuary, and mountains. She stated that she lives <br /> across the alley from an 80 foot tall new condo. The building casts a shadow that lasts <br /> half the day and it also dramatically affects the amount of wind and noise her home <br /> suffers. <br /> Ms. Steele suggested that one way to provide more equity regarding building heights <br /> would be to tie building heights to sea level and not ground level. By staggering the <br /> heights up hill, the City could provide the greatest number of people exceptional views, <br /> sunlight, and fresh air. She also questioned whether or not the downtown needed more <br /> retail space because of the vacant spaces that currently exist in the downtown area, <br /> and other retail uses that exist and are being proposed outside the downtown core. <br /> Instead of mixed use retail structures, she would like to see paid parking facilities, <br /> community centers, or daycare facilities along with a limited amount of retail. Tax <br /> incentives are also important for development in the downtown core. She suggested <br /> that the City needed a review process that included a diverse committee made up of <br /> architects, urban planners, artists, and landscapers. As a representative for the <br /> Bayside neighborhood, she would like the commission to adjust the height in the R-4 <br /> and R-5 areas of the Bayside neighborhood, north of Everett Avenue, to the same <br /> levels of the historic overlay district. <br /> Frank Strahm, PO 880, Snohomish, WA 98290, stated that he had submitted a letter to <br /> the City and was interested in the process. He owned property on the north end of the <br /> block of Rucker and Wall down to Grand Avenue. <br /> Craig Skotdal, 2707 Colby Avenue, disclosed that his family requested the zoning <br /> change. He stated that the proposal responds to an important need in the Everett <br /> community for new market rate housing in downtown Everett. The future of community <br /> depends on Everett's ability to attract and retain talented people who will be the driver's <br /> of Everett's economy and who will invest their time in making Everett a better place to <br /> live. Their goal is to create new apartments and condos that will appeal to young <br /> professionals, empty nesters, active seniors, and to create conditions where people with <br /> ideas and initiative will be successful. Creating more housing in downtown Everett is <br /> also an important component of smart growth. It takes development pressure away <br /> from neighborhoods and green fields and encourages people to walk instead of drive. It <br /> also promotes retail development with more restaurants, shops, and entertainment <br /> 6 <br />