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Hil Kaman, Public Health and Safety Director for the City, stated that the Streets Initiative Task Force <br /> began meeting in 2014 and after six months produced 63 recommendations on how to address street <br /> level social issues that included mental illness, homelessness, substance use, and those kinds of issues <br /> that were visible on Everett streets. He added that the balanced approach took into consideration <br /> business interests as well as the need to expand access for treatment services for those individuals who <br /> were suffering with addiction. At the time, the City didn't fully understand the scope of the opiate <br /> epidemic in Snohomish County. <br /> Mr. Kaman stated that the City is working with community partners to expand treatment opportunities <br /> and that includes the whole spectrum of treatment that is available for those with addictions. In the last <br /> year,the City has internally discussed Therapeutic Health Services (THS) and opiate substitution <br /> treatment. He did tour the facility in south Everett which he stated was a very well run operation and <br /> very responsive to the City. The City worked with THS along with a collaboration of departments on the <br /> proposed amendment. <br /> Commission Discussion <br /> Commissioner Beck asked about the area surrounding the south Everett facility. Mr. Giffen responded <br /> that the facility is located at 100th and Evergreen Way in a business park. Commissioner Beck asked if <br /> staff had heard concerns regarding traffic impacts given that the facility provides not only services to <br /> Everett residents but outside of Everett as well. Mr. Giffen stated no, and added that the facility is in <br /> proximity to transit services. <br /> Commissioner Sand asked if the Broadway area specified in Special Regulation 56 had similar lot <br /> patterns to Evergreen Way. Mr. Giffen responded no, and that the lot patterns along Broadway are <br /> much smaller,so an applicant would have to assemble lots to construct a similar facility. Commissioner <br /> Sand stated that their success on Evergreen Way appeared to be due to the business park location and <br /> proximity to existing DSHS facilities and transit services. He asked why the City decided to include a <br /> Broadway location because the land use is so different. Mr.Giffen responded that there are existing <br /> clinics located along North Broadway that are in proximity to transit services and have parking on-site. <br /> Similar to Evergreen Way, North Broadway is a busy arterial with transit services,which is part of the <br /> THS business model. <br /> Commissioner Sand asked about a downtown location. Mr. Giffen responded that currently there are an <br /> abundance of social service facilities and agencies located in the downtown area. The intent was to limit <br /> the exposure of the business community from social service issues. <br /> Commissioner Lark stated that he had attended a Safe Streets presentation where a doctor presented <br /> information about a drug called buprenorphine, an alternative treatment for opiate addiction. Use of <br /> the drug would integrate the treatment into preexisting medical infrastructure, provide for greater <br /> accessibility, and reduce the stigma of going to a facility for treatment. He asked if the definition for an <br /> opiate substitution treatment facility would prohibit in some way the future use of the drug as an <br /> alternative treatment. Mr. Kaman responded that the current zoning ordinance nor the amendment <br /> would limit the ability of the medical office to prescribe buprenorphine or any other medically assisted <br />