2018/02/07 Council Agenda Packet

AO IN • n DOWNTOWN EVERETT RECEIVE' ASSOCIATION JUN 01 2017 May 24, 2017 CITY OF EVERETT PLANNING DEPT Everett Planning Commission 3002 Wetmore Avenue Everett,WA 98201 Re:Potential Code Amendment for a Methadone Clinic in Downtown Everett Dear Commissioners, We have heard from many of our stakeholders since The Herald published a story in earlier this month about the Planning Commission's desire to explore a potential code amendment allowing a methadone clinic in Downtown Everett. While there is widespread concern about the potential impacts of any such clinic,there is also a strong desire among our stakeholders to be part of a comprehensive solution to the shared community challenges of addiction, mental health, and homelessness. While we appreciate the urgency, and need to provide support to the 100—200 people currently waitlisted to receive services for opiate addiction,we also think the decision on where and how to provide such services deserves more community education and involvement. To that end,we urge the Planning Commission to defer making a decision on the proposed code amendment for at least 90 days to allow for a more in-depth review. In an effort to move beyond perceptions and stigmas,the Downtown Everett Association proposes to lead an advisory panel to include members of the City, Planning Commission,Snohomish County,and key downtown stakeholders to review the following: (1) perceived versus actual impacts of methadone clinics to nearby businesses and residents; (2) location and dispersion of such clinics in Everett and Snohomish County relative to demand and access;and (3)the existing and future role of downtown in providing community services. As recent experience shows,the bitterness and anger of residents living in the Glacier View neighborhood to the City's low-barrier housing project on Evergreen Way was due, in part,to a lack of stakeholder outreach and involvement. We think a premature decision by the Planning Commission on the proposed code amendment risks a similar outcome,fueling emotions and resistance in the absence of much-needed stakeholder outreach,education, and facts. We urge you to partner with us in giving this important community decision the diligence and care it deserves. Sincerely, 9 ALMA__ Dana Oliver Downtown Services Manager Presented on behalf of the Downtown Everett Association Executive Committee: Craig Skotdal Sean Straub Owen Bargreen Lang Nelson President Vice President Treasurer Secretary