2010/05/19 Council Agenda Packet

t the time,which was the CEMEX request to convert its 118 acre site from industrial to mixed use, South Everett Industrial Land Analysis recommendations: 1. Given the City's recognition in the Comprehensive Plan of the importance of industrial lands as an economic resource,the City should not, as a policy,allow for conversion of industrial designated lands except in special circumstances related to the suitability of specific sites for industrial use. 2. The current standard expressed in the Comprehensive Plan Policy that conversion of lands be discouraged unless industrial development is not feasible(Land Use Policy 2.11.3), should be reconsidered. 'An alternative condition might be that "industrial lands cannot be converted to other uses unless it can be demonstrated that the characteristics of the site do not match requirements for size, shape, topography,access and context." 3. Industrial designations under the City zoning code generally can accommodate the type.of industrial development that would likely occur. However,the three industrial zones are quite similar in terms of what is allowed. The differences between M-1 Office and Industrial Park and M-2 Heavy Industry differ somewhat in terms of allowable uses(with M-2 allowing certain lower compatibility uses), but few differences in terms of development standards. An office and industrial park zone that encourages office and R&D uses by providing for greater landscape standards and building requirements,will accommodate users seeking a higher quality development of a new generation of buildings. The City should seek to accommodate the large industrial and warehouse distribution uses,while providing an alternative opportunity for the higher wage jobs and higher quality of life environment. The M-1 zone responds to the first objective,but not the latter. A new office and industrial park zoning designation that limits large warehouse/distribution centers, and provides more restrictive site and building standards, could supplement the M-1 zone and attract the higher wage jobs. City of Everett Industrial Land Policies According to the Everett Comprehensive Plan: From Section 2. I. C. 5., Economic Development,pg 4, Land Use Central to the quality of life in any community is the ability of families and individuals to earn a living. Without jobs there would be no community. Everett is a major employment center,providing an employment and economic base for a population much larger than living within the city limits. Conversely, many of Everett's residents work outside of the city and outside of Snohomish County. The transportation network, linking 8 3