2012/12/18 Council Agenda Packet

Deb Williams From: ptoepel@frontier.com Sent: Tuesday, December 18, 2012 2:58 PM To: Deb Williams Subject: COE Autogenerated:Comment re Central Waterfront(K-C)Area Plan Importance: High Email form title: Contact Email form To: DWilliams@ci.everett.wa.us From: ptoepel@frontier.com Email:ptoepel@frontier.com Subject: Comment re Central Waterfront(K-C)Area Plan Body: Comment re City of Everett proposed Central Waterfront Area Plan 12/18/12 Peggy Toepel Planning Commission Recommended Alternative#4 appears to not offer enough flexibility to strongly attract long-term, high-employment-density industrial manufacturing enterprise, whether or not water-dependent. A blend of Alternatives#3 and 4 would likely prove more successful. Based upon• City of Everett consultant's assessment of current interest and market outlook • continuing reliance upon automation of industrial processes to increase productivity, and vulnerability of associated structures to obsolescence before wearing out • necessity for site use compatibility with restrictions related to neighboring Naval Station Everett and Port of Everett operations • ongoing regional competition among Puget Sound/Salish Sea cargo handlers • the substantial length of time required to complete in-water cleanup by Kimberly-Clark there is very slim likelihood that industrial waterfront manufacturing(or water-dependent industry in general)would be accompanied by high-density employment (and corresponding increase in utilization of downtown amenities by waterfront workforce). The market for affordable, expandable non-water-dependent manufacturing sites to serve our regional economy is likely to remain in flux well beyond the next two decades. Port of Everett's proposal to amend Alt. #4 to allow substitution of off-site public access would undermine this rare opportunity to develop meaningful public access to waterfront enjoyment readily accessible from downtown workplaces and residential areas. As a once-proud qualifier for All-American City designation,the City of Everett should seize this chance to enhance its shoreline personality! Basic priorities for Everett's Central Waterfront Subarea Plan should be 1) Completion of environmental cleanup, at Kimberly Clark expense(not taxpayers)2)Allowance for limited subdivision of the K-C property to enable the start of non-water-dependent redevelopment compatible with adjacent Naval Station Everett and Port of Everett operations before final completion of in-water contaminant cleanup. 3)Non- acceptance of Port of Everett proposed option to purchase and manage non-water-dependent redevelopment outside of existing Port jurisdiction. The Port's record regarding economic redevelopment of waterfront property has not shown significant productivity or profitability for its taxpayers. Peggy Toepel, 11110 3rd Pl. SE,Everett, WA 98208 1