Ordinance 2021-94 - Laserfiche WebLink

EVERETT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE ELEMENT enhanced. The second important reason is Everett's economic past is marked by the 41111 that the citizens of Everett have stated a dramatic swings of a boom-bust cycle of the strong desire to preserve the beauty of the city's major industries. An important goal in natural environment and improve the quality the "guiding forces" for the Everett of the built environment. Many of the physical Comprehensive Plan is economic stability and changes which have occurred in Everett over diversification of the employment base, so that the last 50 years have not contributed to the the local economy is not as susceptible to the sense of community that characterized fortunes of a single employer or industry. Use Everett's earlier land use patterns. This is not of Everett's land base is central to economic ' unique to Everett, as society's desire to diversity and strength. The Economic De- accommodate the automobile, which was the velopment Element will review and update major cause of such physical changes, has had past economic studies and strategies. It will , a similar impact on cities throughout the also make recommendations that may be country. In the last half-century, Everett, like incorporated into the Land Use Element for other communities, has been built to changes to existing land use policies, maps and accommodate the convenient use of the regulations that will attempt to foster the automobile, which has diminished the desired economic health. The land use 111pedestrian friendly human scale of earlier land designations of the comprehensive plan will use patterns. help implement Everett's economic growth strategies. While the automobile will continue to be the predominant form of transportation for a 6. Public Utilities: The GMA requires the majority of people in Everett, the Urban Public Utilities Element to address theIlk Design Element will address how the electrical, telecommunications and natural gas community can be reclaimed from the land use utility needs of the Everett Planning Area. patterns and development styles of the last 50 Historically, these utilities are generally years, and will identify potential changes to supportive of land use plans and responsive to land use policies, maps and regulations that the needs of growth, rather than being a will enhance Everett's natural setting and limiting factor to growth. Most such facilities promote a more desirable built environment. do not consume large amounts of land within the Everett Planning Area. However, it is 5. Economic Development: Central to the necessary to address both the long term quality of life in any community is the ability capacity and land use needs of these utility of families and individuals to earn a living. providers, and the land use compatibility Without jobs there would be no community. impacts of such facilities as electrical Everett is a major employment center, pro- substations, transmission lines and easements, viding an employment and economic base for and telecommunications towers. The larger a population much larger than living within the public utility facilities must be designated on city limits. Conversely, many of Everett's the Land Use Map. residents work outside of the city and outside of Snohomish County. The transportation II. BACKGROUND INFORMATION network linking Everett residents to places of employment outside of Everett, and vice- A. Existing Conditions: This section versa, has a critical effect on economic activity summarizes the "existing conditions" for and land use patterns within Everett. demographics, employment, land use, and the LU-4