2005/12/05 Council Agenda Packet

Remove all waterfront property from heavy industrial use. Of course, allow the Port's deep water terminals, Naval Station Everett, the Marina to stay as they are, and allow existing businesses the zoning they currently enjoy as a conditional use. Precious water front property is too valuable a commodity especially since we are mandated to pack more people in our urban areas. Most of the businesses on the waterfront are not water -dependent and new water - dependent business would have great difficulty getting the appropriate permits from the DOE to start-up. They, like the existing businesses in the Station sub -area, could, with help from the City, be relocated to inland locations and the waterfront land could be used for more people oriented and environmentally productive use. Transform Naval Station Everett to the region's 4 year university if it does not survive the BRAC process. Intersperse community gardens with tot lots in multi -family housing developments. This is will: enable people from foreign cultures to grow food that they know and tolerate; provide more eyes on the street; encourage people to talk to each other; and act as a source of pride for the community. The Everett Station Area is extremely vague. Which other areas in the region and elsewhere have prospered under similar circumstances because of the proximity to enhanced transportation access? What codes will be implemented for converting old structures? Please consider changing the term "flex tech" to "flex space". As hip as it might sound now, in ten years this term will be outdated and we'll seem antiquated in our plaid polyester pantsuits. The focus on tech is far too narrow. I like the idea of staying low like in Kirkland and Edmonds. (Why would we forgo such sensibility on the Harbor side?) How many jobs and dwellings are proposed? As far as the Riverfront goes, I suppose more shall be revealed, but I do appreciate the administrations acknowledgement that this is a once in many lifetimes project and that it must be done correctly the first time. Is the boundary description in the last paragraph of page #27 correct? I take exception to the statement that "There is the desire to restore stream corridors and wetland areas as development occurs". That desire exists exclusive of development. Like other assets valued by the community — greenbelts, museums, events centers, parks — where citizens prioritize a healthy economy and a healthy environment, improvement to shoreline function can be funded on its own merit. Under the Land Use section on page 31 there is a pie chart with the age population according to the 2000 census. What are the projections for 2015? What are the demographic projections? Why is the proportion of homeownership so low compared to the national average? The types of housing we, as a city, provide is market driven. In order to support the builder's bottom line, they are motivated to cram the greatest number of units on the smallest foundation and roof. I believe this unchallenged driving force is a contributing factor to the severely low homeownership rates. The South end was predominantly zoned multi -family at a time when the condominium crises all but curtailed ownership ability. I believe these factors contribute tremendously to the ghetto we have created in South Everett. 4