2019/07/17 Council Agenda Packet

July 17, 2019 Mayor Cassie Franklin & Everett City Council 2930 Wetmore Ave. Floor 10 Everett, Washington 98201 RE: Revised City of Everett Shoreline Public Access Plan Proposed Viewpoint on Kimberly Clark Property and Near Naval Station Everett Dear Mayor Franklin and Councilmembers: Thank you for the opportunity to comment on the City's proposed adoption of the Shoreline Public Access Plan. As you know, the Port has a demonstrated commitment to providing appropriate, properly located and quality public access to the waterfront. While we appreciate the collaboration and coordination on the development of the public access plan to ensure a balanced waterfront, we cannot support a public access plan that adds a viewpoint between the waste water treatment plant, the federally -secure U.S. Naval Base, and an international seaport while pinched between the BNSF mainline to Chicago and State Route 529. Further, it is not in alignment with the State's recently released U.S. Military Land Use Compatibility Study (link below). An excerpt from page 66 reads, "The Port of Everettand NSEshare concern about public access and ability to use the harbor for recreation. They also share concerns about increased opportunities for terrorist threats resulting from higher accessibility. Public access and restrictions should maintain a minimum separation from facilities located on base to protect security." Further, Everett Municipal Code 19.26.020 supports compatible land use with the Navy. In addition to creating compatibility issues with the U.S. Navy and the seaport, it also comes with inherent public safety concerns. Speaking for an entity with a required public access trail between the BNSF Mainline and the deep -water Seaport, we can assure you it generates unintended consequences. In the past few years, we have had homeless encampments, unsanitary conditions due to human waste and needles on the beach, a murder, several assaults and property vandalism. The reason for these effects is due to the isolation of the trail with only one ingress and egress. This proposed viewpoint sandwiched between the industrial waste water treatment plan, the deep - water seaport and the Naval Station would likely generate the same concerns and problems. Therefore, we respectfully request that the City direct public access funds from the Cib/s purchase of the 8.5 acres of the Kimberly-Clark property to improve the public access and connectivity of West Marine View Drive between Everett Avenue and 181h Street. This investment would improve pedestrian safety and access from downtown to the recreational waterfront, not create an unattractive nuisance and, more concerning, an incompatible use with the adjoining Navy, industrial and seaport uses.