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November 17, 2008 <br /> Everett City Council Members <br /> 2930 Wetmore Avenue <br /> Everett, WA 98201 <br /> RE: Riverside Neighborhood Historic Overlay <br /> Dear City Council Members: <br /> I would like to speak on behalf of the Riverside Historic Overlay Zone and ask you to <br /> adopt the ordinance that establishes this Overlay Zone. As a former member of the <br /> Everett Historical Commission I have participated in design review sessions and seen <br /> how the overlay system works. It is a system that has benefited the two neighborhoods <br /> where these overlay zones are already established, and will benefit the Riverside <br /> neighborhood as well. <br /> Such zoning stabilizes a neighborhood, giving continuity to the streetscape, and provides <br /> guidelines for remodeling and infill. Even though citizens buy individual houses, they are <br /> affected by the context of the houses that surround them. This overlay zone provides <br /> safeguards and guidelines; its intention is not to restrict individual expression. The <br /> benefits far outweigh any perceived detriments. <br /> You have been given two alternatives from which to choose. Everett Avenue is cited as a <br /> "natural division"between a mostly residential neighborhood (north of Everett Ave.) and <br /> a mixed-use neighborhood(south of Everett Ave.)A bigger issue presents itself here. The <br /> small area south of Everett Avenue in Alternative 1 is really part of a much more <br /> historical, vulnerable, and unprotected area called The Mitchell Addition. The Mitchell <br /> Addition extends roughly from Everett Ave. to Pacific Ave. and from Broadway to <br /> Maple Ave. The Mitchell Addition is the birthplace of the city of Everett, having some of <br /> the oldest residents and businesses, and is disserving of its own historic distinction. That <br /> is not the issue of this proposal,but I hope this area will benefit from preservation efforts <br /> in the near future. <br /> I would encourage you to accept Alternative 1, to at least include a small part of the <br /> Mitchell Addition as an area deserving protection. If Alternative 1 becomes the"deal- <br /> breaker"for the overlay zone,then Alternative 2 is a good second choice. <br /> Thank you for taking these matters under consideration. <br /> ji6da - / '1� <br /> Vicki Rosenau <br /> 2307 Maple <br /> Everett, WA 98201 <br />