2006/07/12 Council Agenda Packet

10 R77- ORDINANCE NO. AN ORDINANCE amending Section 2.020 of Ordinance No. 1671-89, as amended (EMC 19.02.020)by rezoning certain properties in the Downtown Planning Area to the B-3 Central Business District Zone to implement the zoning changes as proposed in the 2006 Downtown Plan WHEREAS, the City of Everett has conducted a downtown planning process that identified change in land use policies and designations, proposed substantial changes to the development regulations for the B-3 Zone, and the rezoning of substantial areas in the downtown to expand the boundaries of the B-3 Central Business District Zone; and WHEREAS,the City has conducted an extensive public participation process, including eight public workshops and a public hearing held by the Planning Commission in which staff, consultants and the Commission sought and obtained public input and testimony on the proposed design guidelines and development standards and proposed rezones; and WHEREAS, the proposed downtown plan and implementing amendments to the text and maps of the comprehensive plan are consistent with the policies of the City of Everett Growth management Comprehensive Plan; and WHEREAS, the land use designation changes proposed by the downtown plan promote a more desirable land use pattern for the Everett community by accommodating projected job and population growth for the downtown, encouraging mixed use, improved development standards and design guidelines; and WHEREAS,the Planning Commission has recommended to the City Council the Adoption of the Downtown Plan and the expansion of the B-3 Central Business District Zone; and WHEREAS,the City Council has conducted public hearings to review the recommendations of the Planning Commission and to take additional public testimony; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that the Downtown Plan provides for the orderly accommodation of growth in Downtown Everett and promotes the best long term interests of the Everett community; and 1 1r0