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i <br /> i <br /> 1 <br /> 1 <br /> Co 1 <br /> I <br /> DOWNTOWN EVERETT a <br /> ASSOCIATION I <br /> i <br /> i <br /> , <br /> Y` <br /> I <br /> J <br /> May 23, 2017 i <br /> t <br /> i <br /> i <br /> i <br /> Everett Planning Commission I <br /> f <br /> 3002 Wetmore Avenue i <br /> Everett, WA 98201 <br /> 5 <br /> Re: Potential Code Amendment for a Methadone Clinic in Downtown Everett <br /> 1 <br /> Dear Commissioners, <br /> l <br /> We have heard from many of our stakeholders since The Herald published a story earlier this <br /> month about the Planning Commission's desire to explore a potential code amendment I <br /> allowing a methadone clinic in Downtown Everett. White there is widespread concern about i <br /> the potential impacts of any such clinic, there is also a strong desire among our stakeholders l <br /> to be part of a comprehensive solution to the community challenges of addiction, mental <br /> health, and homelessness. i <br /> While we appreciate the urgency and need to provide support to the 100 - 200 people i <br /> currently waitlisted to receive services for opiate addiction, we also think the decision on <br /> where and how to provide such services deserves more community education and <br /> involvement. To that end, we urge the Planning Commission to defer making a decision on <br /> the proposed code amendment for at least 90 days to allow for a more in-depth review. I <br /> r <br /> i <br /> In an effort to move beyond perceptions and stigmas, the Downtown'Everett Association <br /> proposes to lead an advisory panel to include members of the City, Planning Commission, <br /> Snohomish County, and key downtown stakeholders to review the following: (1) perceived <br /> versus actual impacts of methadone clinics to nearby businesses and residents; (2) location <br /> and dispersion of such clinics in Everett and Snohomish County relative to demand and access; <br /> and (3) the existing and future role of downtown in providing community services. <br /> As recent experience shows, the resistance and anger of residents living in the Glacier View } <br /> neighborhood to the City's low-barrier housing project on Evergreen Way was due, in part, to <br /> a lack of early stakeholder outreach and involvement. We think a premature decision by the <br /> Planning Commission on the proposed code amendment risks a similar outcome, fueling i <br /> emotions and resistance in the absence of much-needed stakeholder outreach, education, and i <br /> facts. We urge you to partner with us in giving this important community decision the i <br /> diligence and care it deserves. 1 <br /> P 0 Box 748—Everett,Washington 98206—425-258-0700 <br /> www.downtowneverettwa.org <br />