2005/12/05 Council Agenda Packet

January 30,2005 nfl U�f Planning Commission" _ Department of Planning and Community Development City of Everett CII' j 0E EVEREr—t 2930 Wetmore Ave. Suite 8A Pi nn;r, D,pt Everett, WA 98201 Everett Planning Commission: We are writing in response to the Providence Medical Center (PEMC) proposed expansion within the Donovan District; as many in the community, we oppose the proposed expansion_ Our major concerns include: • Increase in traffic volumes • Noise • Pollution • Drop in property value • Impact on neighborhood • Approach of the PEMC In the PEMC Comprehensive Plan and Rezone Application dated June 30, 2004 they stated that the net "new" vehicular trip generation from the new Cancer Center is estimated to be 1,433 average weekday daily trips – and no actual estimation on traffic volumes for when all phases have been completed. The additional traffic indicated would not be on major thoroughfares such as Broadway, but would be handled by much smaller arterial streets, Colby, 13th and 14th avenues. This increase in traffic would, according to the PEMC, not increase the noise level beyond which is already present. With this statement we strongly disagree. As residents on the corner of Lombard and 14th – the change in traffic volume would increase the noise level and, in addition, increase pollution – both from exhaust and litter, and decrease the safety of our children and our selves. The changes that will be brought during and by the expansion are primarily negative. The constant construction, the blight of a blacktop parking lot, and the loss of a major portion of a historical district will not only lessen the value of our property, but will also lessen the value -of -the -neighborhood and of the city in general. The draw of Everett to families is the sense of community and the ability to purchase more for less. With the changes that the PEMC proposes, it will become more difficult to bring new residents into the area, and will drive out the existing ones.