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My fellow Planning Commissioners, <br /> I am unable to attend tonight's hearing, but wanted to share my thoughts on this debate.After reading <br /> all the information presented in tonight's hearing packet,speaking with city staff, interested parties, and <br /> reviewing Commissioner Beck's proposal I wanted to add several thoughts to the discussion. <br /> First,we need to move ahead and find a location for a second treatment facility in the city of Everett. <br /> The need and suffering are too great to not act. Helping people in need of treatment is the right thing to <br /> do. Improving access to treatment is the least we can do. <br /> Second,we must balance the need to act with other planning priorities.After conversation with staff, <br /> reading citizen comments,and reviewing letters sent by stakeholders, and given the density of existing <br /> services in the downtown business core, I believe it is not the right place at this time. However, in <br /> consideration of the statements from THS at previous hearings, it also does not appear that looking to <br /> North Broadway alone will provide a viable path forward to helping those seeking to overcome <br /> addiction. <br /> Third, I believe Commissioner Beck's proposal offers a compelling alternative to our current <br /> predicament. Incorporating the ideas in the proposal is essential to correctly addressing this issue. I <br /> would encourage combining the zoning proposal with staff recommended language and the proposal <br /> put forward by Commissioner Beck. <br /> Under subsection (a) of special regulation 56 in Use Table No. 52 in the staff proposed language, opioid <br /> treatment facilities would also be authorized in hospitals as well.We should also add language that <br /> would allow OTFs in any place clinics are authorized in the following zones: B-1, B-2, BMU, E-1, MUO, C- <br /> 1,C-1R, C-2, C-2ES, M-M, M-1, M-2. This would also make OTFs subject to Review Process II as well. <br /> I believe these suggestions offer an effective compromise moving forward. It balances the critical need <br /> to help people working to overcome addiction with our goals and vision for downtown.While I <br /> acknowledge this idea is not fully fleshed out, I wanted to put it before my fellow commissioners tonight <br /> to add to the dialogue and for consideration. <br /> Thank you so much for your time and work on this issue. <br /> Commissioner Lark <br />