2005/12/05 Council Agenda Packet

General Hospital SPU & variance 3-88 page -17- 14. Any new sewer connections will require that a backwater valve be installed per Chapter 14.08.190 of the Everett Municipal Code. 15. Any change in the use of the site will be subject to an environmental review under SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) and a new or revised Special Property Use Permit per Ordinance 1348-87 and EMC 19.58.010. The application of General Hospital for a Special Property Use Permit for a six and one-half story medical office building and a four and one-half story parking garage, and, variances from side and setback standards and height standards have resulted in a controversy that has rallied a neighborhood against the hospital. As evidenced in the list of witnesses and exhibits in this decision, great efforts were taken by both sides to document the record with arguments for and against the hospital expansion. In making a decision on this matter, the easy approach of counting hands and signatures cannot be utilized. This application cannot be determined on a popularity count or a determination of who has marshalled the partisans in the most effective manner. Instead, the application, like all applications for land use in the City of Everett, must be reviewed pursuant to the standards and guidelines as set forth in the Everett Municipal Code. Specifically, the Special property Use Permit request must be reviewed pursuant to EMC 19.58.010 and the variances must be reviewed pursuant to EMC 19.70.060. Prior to a review of the above cited standards and guidelines, it is important to examine the historical development of the hospital and neighborhood. General Hospital was built at its present site over 64 years ago. Throughout the years it has expanded and has developed into one of the premier medical facilities in the Puget Sound area. The neighborhood has also developed and expanded over this period of time. It is one of the o sIg rhoods in the community. The upk�enifn2�n�anf structures and the ma;ntananc�e of va_r tM nr iAUA of (m rs o s in this area . The growth and development of the neighborhood and the hospital have not always resulted in benefits to each other. In fact, problems that each have experienced have caused problems for the other. The lack of adequate parking for the hospital has caused parking disruptions to the neighborhood. The hospital's need for additional space for facilities has encroached on the image of the neighborhood. The single family use of the neighborhood has caused planning difficulties for the hospital. The traffic generated by the hospital has caused an unusual amount of local traffic for the neighborhood. In light of these and other problems stemming from the co -existence of the two uses in the area, the Everett City Council wisely addressed the issue of hospital expansion in 1986 in the City's Comprehensive Plan and Guide to Land Development.