2018/02/07 Council Agenda Packet

is mind blowing to him considering that Everett is a shining star in Snohomish County. Everett is providing these services in disproportion to other jurisdictions in Snohomish County. He stated that Everett has gone way beyond what it should or can do to help people in need. He asked Commission not to move forward on this code amendment at this time. Craig Skotdal, president of the Downtown Everett Association (DEA), encouraged Commission to listen to Everett's mayor,economic development director, planning staff, and many of the people in the room who have worked hard for many years to revitalize Everett's downtown. He stated that there is already an intense concentration of social services and justice facilities in the downtown. The central business district has the highest level of services relative to any other place in the city; and has a disproportionate share of social services in Snohomish County. The DEA believes the Planning staff recommendation as written is a reasonable compromise. Revitalizing Everett's urban center has a long way to go and is still in a fragile state. He urged Planning Commission to support DEA efforts by supporting the Planning staff resolution. Paul Nicholls, 2317 McDougal, stated that he moved to Everett two years ago in anticipation that Everett was going to do something great. He was concerned about crime in his neighborhood. He wasn't in support of a second opiate substitution treatment facility near his neighborhood. Chris Glans, 211 Capri Place, stated that he has worked in the drug and mental health field for 40 years. There is robust science around methadone treatment facilities. He stated that based on the evidence that he has seen,THS should be able to locate their new clinic wherever they deem appropriate. He stated that there were several studies done that reported that a corner store has more of a negative impact on crime in an area than a methadone treatment facility. He stated that the bottom line is that opiate substitution treatment works. They are cost effective and do save lives. Angela Smith, 3417 Tulalip Avenue, stated that she has worked with addicted youth for 25 years. She stated that it was important to address the addiction issues; however, she didn't support another treatment facility, and was very concerned about the health and safety of the community. She felt that other jurisdictions should share in the responsibility on locating these types of facilities. Melissa Springer, Hampton Inn,general manager, stated that she was concerned about locating a clinic in downtown Everett. Business owners in the downtown do care about the crisis; however,the downtown area should be a safe welcoming place for people visiting the area. She is starting to read comments on Trip Advisor about the homeless population and drug use in the downtown,which will keep visitors away from the area. She understood the importance of locating another clinic; however, she didn't support locating that facility in the downtown core. She stated that her staff cleaned the areas around the hotel today and found 15 needles. She stated that their guests have reported encounters with mentally ill people and panhandlers outside of their building. She calls the police on a regular basis. She didn't support locating a facility in the downtown core. Liz Vogeli, 1103 93`d Street SW, stated that she supported the Zoning Code amendment. She stated that supporting the code amendment didn't mean that a facility would locate in the downtown. If a facility was located in the downtown area,the facility would have community relations monitors patrolling the - ------------ -- --— 13