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EVERETT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN
<br /> g. Open Spaces: The Growth Management Act does not define the term "open space" but does
<br /> require the identification of"open space corridors within and between urban growth areas" which
<br /> shall include lands useful for recreation, wildlife habitat, trails, and connection of critical areas.
<br /> Open space areas have not been identified as a separate category of the land use inventory.
<br /> While agricultural lands, parks, critical areas, lakes, the Puget Sound, and presently undeveloped
<br /> properties can be thought of as open space, some cannot be assumed to be reserved as permanent
<br /> open space uses. Open space areas serve many valuable purposes, including recreation,
<br /> aesthetics, land use buffers, and wildlife habitat. They can be either the focal point (like Silver
<br /> Lake) or the defining edge (like a ravine) of a neighborhood or business district. Private as well
<br /> as public open spaces are a necessary component of urban life. While the Land Use Element
<br /> may not propose rigid open space standards, the preservation or further development and/or
<br /> enhancement of open spaces will be addressed.
<br /> h. Public Utilities: Public utilities, as a land use category, are not listed as a separate category
<br /> in the Land Use Inventory. The Growth Management Act requires a Public Utilities Element
<br /> that identifies the location and future capacity needs of electrical, telecommunications and
<br /> natural gas utilities. The location and capacity of public utilities are largely dependent on the
<br /> land uses, which require the service of the utility companies. Generally, they respond to the
<br /> growth that is allowed or promoted by comprehensive plans. While most public utility facilities
<br /> need not be identified on the Land Use Map, facilities, rights-of-way, or easements that consume
<br /> large areas of land should be identified. Additionally, the Land Use Element contains policies
<br /> related to the siting and land use compatibility of public utility facilities.
<br /> i. Public Facilities: The Land Use Inventory has not included "public facilities" as a separate
<br /> land use category. Included under the term "public facilities" are schools, civic buildings,
<br /> libraries, fire stations, parks, courts, sewage treatment plants, and other buildings and uses
<br /> reserved for public services and administration. Like public utilities, the need for public
<br /> facilities is driven by the location and levels of development authorized by comprehensive plans.
<br /> While some public facilities are large enough to be designated on a land use map, such as parks,
<br /> others such as fire stations or libraries are not large enough to identify as a separate category of
<br /> land use. The Land Use Element policies contain criteria for the siting and land use
<br /> compatibility of various types of public facilities.
<br /> j. "Other" Land Uses: Included in this category would be "hard to site" facilities such as
<br /> sanitary landfills, hospitals, colleges, correctional facilities, transportation facilities, social
<br /> services, military installations, and other facilities of regional importance, which the GMA calls
<br /> "essential public facilities." Most of these are public facilities that should be addressed in the
<br /> capital facilities elements of various governmental agency comprehensive plans.
<br /> The Everett Planning Area has one hospital with two campuses, several correctional facility, a
<br /> community college, numerous governmental offices and facilities, and other institutional uses
<br /> such as churches, convalescent homes, and group living quarters. The Land Use Element
<br /> contains policies promoting land use compatibility for "hard to site facilities."
<br /> LAND USE ELEMENT 9
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