Ordinance 3454-15 with Exhibits A- C

EVERETT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN C. Why Everett Protects Industrial Land Partially as a result of history and partially as a result of intentional public policy and investment decisions, Everett has emerged as the employment and industrial center of Snohomish County. Approximately 39% of all jobs in Snohomish County are located within the Everett Planning Area and will continue to be. As the job center for the county, Everett has made investments in its transportation and utility infrastructure to maintain a healthy economy for the city and the region. Since it is difficult to establish large industrial tracts in areas where there has not previously been such zoning, Everett's large base of industrial land represents an important regional resource. Having a large base of industrial land has also helped Everett financially support public services provided to its residents. If Everett is to continue to provide a healthy economic base and a high level of urban services, it must plan for revenue producing land uses that enhance the regional quality of life and enable the City to support public services. Maintaining the industrial land base will also provide greater opportunity for Everett residents to seek employment in the city, reducing the need to commute long distances to work. The industrial land uses around Everett Station are expected to change over time to more intensive and transit -oriented uses, including residential and mixed use redevelopment. As a result some of the existing industrial uses are likely to relocate to other areas in Everett and Snohomish County. D. Commercial Areas Commercial zoning will not be expanded, except in circumstances where minor adjustments of zoning boundaries will promote greater land use compatibility, enable a more efficient and integrated use of existing commercially zoned areas, correct irregular zoning boundaries, or to accommodate light rail stations. Everett's central business district will continue to be the focus of high-density mixed-use commercial and residential redevelopment. Commercial arterial corridors will also be the focus of transit compatible commercial and high density residential development. E. Why Everett Encourages Compact Higher Density Redevelopment in Selected Areas In light of the Vision 2040 Regional Growth Strategy, Everett's future growth must be based upon the concept of transit -oriented, higher density compact redevelopment. This concept has strong impacts on the future pattern of physical development within the Everett Planning Area and on the City's ability to efficiently provide services. The following are important reasons for encouraging compact higher density development in designated areas: 1. Only by encouraging compact, higher -density redevelopment, can Everett accommodate the growth anticipated over the next two decades on the limited amount of land available. 2. Encouraging compact, higher density redevelopment is a fiscally efficient way of providing public facilities and services. It allows increased utilization of the existing capacity of these facilities, rather than requiring that new facilities be built to serve a relatively low number LAND USE ELEMENT 15