Ordinance 3455-15 - Laserfiche WebLink

WHEREAS, the proposal would allow construction of a mixed-use development on the property consistent with the type of construction for other developments constructed in downtown Everett, rather than the standards in the Core Residential zones; and WHEREAS, the major differences in development standards include reduced parking, increased building height, reduced setbacks, and reduced open space requirements under the proposed zoning; and WHEREAS, the proposed Williams amendment is within an area identified as an expanded Metropolitan Center in the update to the Land Use Element of the Comprehensive Plan; and WHEREAS, the City issued a Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) under State Environmental Policy Act requirements that evaluated the impacts of the proposal, as well as other actions for the 10 -year update to the Comprehensive Plan and development regulations on July 20, 2015, and issued a Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) on September 4, 2015; and WHEREAS, City staff, the applicant, and the applicant's representative met with the Bayside Neighborhood group to discuss the proposal on March 17, 2015; and WHEREAS, the Comprehensive Plan Update, Williams Map Amendment and Rezone, Draft Environmental Impact Statement and related regulations were submitted to the Washington Department of Commerce for 60 -day review on July 17, 2015 in accordance with RCW 36.70A.106; and WHEREAS, the Planning Commission held a public workshops to take public comments on the proposed Williams amendments on August 18, 2015 and held a public hearing to take public testimony on September 15, 2015 and recommended that City Council approve the proposed amendments; and WHEREAS, the City Council finds that: 1. The proposed land use designation is consistent with the policies of the various elements of the Comprehensive Plan, including the update's expansion of the Metropolitan Center and the plan's goals for accommodating higher densities in transit -oriented mixed-use developments in .the Metropolitan Center; 2. The changed circumstances and new information justify the changes to the land use designation; 3. The proposed designation is consistent with the existing designation of abutting properties to the south and west; 4. The proposed designation promotes a more desirable growth pattern for the community as a whole by directing growth to centers, emphasizing transit -oriented design and improvements to make areas of high density mixed -uses attractive and livable; 5. Following the update of the Comprehensive Plan, the City plans to complete a subarea plan for the expanded Metropolitan Center that may lead to additional changes to designations and/or regulations for other properties in the area which are anticipated to be consistent with the updated Comprehensive Plan and in the best long-term interests of the community in general; K