Ordinance 2021-94 - Laserfiche WebLink

EVERETT COMPREHENSIVE PLAN LAND USE ELEMENT M. EVERETT'S LAND USE CONCEPT B. Increased Residential Densities in The draft Land Use Element described very Single Family Areas. One strategy to distinct land use concepts for each of the increase the population holding capacity alternative growth scenarios that were being without significant rezoning is to increase the considered in the draft comprehensive plan residential densities that can be accommodated and EIS. Through the public participation in single family zones. This can be process used to review the alternatives, the accomplished by such methods as reducing the Planning Commission has selected a minimum lot sizes for single family dwellings, "Preferred Alternative" which combines the allowing duplexes or townhouses under most desirable portions of the land use certain circumstances, "accessory" and "infill" 1 concept from each of the three alternatives. dwelling units, lot clustering, or zero lot line homes. It is felt that modifying the A. Why Everett is Making Few Land development standards in single family zones Use Changes: Everett's existing land use in this manner will allow for a greater patterns have been developed over the past proportion of single family dwellings to be century through the interactions of the constructed, accommodating more population economy, desires of property owners, within the planning area without having to construction of transportation facilities and rezone single family areas to higher multiple utilities, changing lifestyles and, more recently, family densities. In order for increased by land use planning and regulation. The residential densities to be acceptable to the physical landscape which has resulted through community, certain design guidelines orIlk this combination of forces, with some standards must be applied to higher density exception, has been generally acceptable to the housing types. Other techniques will be residents of Everett and its planning area. It implemented to increase opportunities for has long been apparent that residents of the home ownership. community have desired to avoid significant changes. Periodically, residents have strongly C. Why Everett Encourages Continued objected to land use changes or developments Economic Growth. It has become apparent which have been perceived to change the that the cost of providing public services to character of the neighborhood or community. support growth in any community is expensive I Most of the land within the planning area is for government. Expanding populations developed. Available vacant or redevelopable demand higher levels of public service as a land has been planned for certain types of land means of maintaining a certain standard of use, and has been provided infrastructure living or quality of life. Everett has always according to the planned land uses. strived to provide a complete range of high quality urban services. It has also attempted However, under the Growth Management to provide a wide range of land use Act, the Everett Planning Area will have to opportunities through its land use planning accommodate a higher population level over and zoning regulations. Partially as a result of the next twenty years than has been previously history and partially as a result of intentional anticipated. As a result, Everett's land use public policy and investment decisions, Everett concept calls for increasing population without has emerged as the employment and industrial making significant land use changes to most center of Snohomish County. Approximately geographic portions of the planning area. one-half of all jobs in Snohomish County are LU-12 ,