[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6582594,"mediaKeyId","3074683-2d9518023904631b880919a5ef944c36","parentId",3074683,"title","Lynnwood council interviews candidate for History and Heritage Board","audioSeconds",1202,"startMs",994000,"endMs",2196000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3074683-2d9518023904631b880919a5ef944c36&start=994&end=2196","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3074683-2d9518023904631b880919a5ef944c36/thumbnail_994000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6582594/Lynnwood/Snohomish-County/Washington/Lynnwood-council-interviews-candidate-for-History-and-Heritage-Board","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582594-d1d6d755853464226f82d8bbf7a7d609/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195735&Signature=eSAy~7htcvDyHboi5M~v2VKFhpLhXBvRyLolpe0hmCNy2aVE9y0NFR78tWb4cU-oS8uUIhliGEUZP-kF46QVgsIYPICPit4oDpySYb5emSPHfiw6xzxYouS0NW6iHeSWvT-fewSusj3q3QJm9f7j1tZfcZ0XTju57GDbG~zjpE2jP9ZRwjSMNotUiijK4T9G0cyOeYvSnYrL1hXOWuEyWlDYZrftwZBxzotF-PVgOOb4P1m5ZvcNfamV3G8kKYpUMIPdBOwUYO4JGcxPIWuYAZQbxnXZTaEgg6C5J~KL~BAMpzsRcte5IEvDUMj8vE5jwKkSHuqAP1x6Pd6ItGoVcA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lynnwood","date","2025-04-21T00:00:00Z","article","The Lynnwood City Council interviewed a candidate to serve on the History and Heritage Board during the April 21 work session. Fred Wong, arts, cultural and heritage coordinator, introduced the applicant and briefly outlined his background.

The candidate, appearing as Jody (surname transcribed variously in the record), told the council he served about 20 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, lived in Virginia and Alaska, and worked in Kodiak as a corrections officer. He said he has been a Lynnwood resident for nearly four years and expressed interest in community history projects, including a possible community boat‑building project and partnering with local organizations such as the Center for Wooden Boats.

Council members asked about the applicant’s interest in Lynnwood history and how his background would contribute to the board. Council member Hirst said, “His passion for history came through,” while Council member Bridal asked how the candidate would use his career experience on the board. The applicant suggested projects that would document contemporary local life and partner with seniors to capture recent everyday history; he also recommended bringing boat‑building or Coast Guard history to local displays.

The council did not take a formal vote during the work session; staff said next steps for the application process would follow the board’s normal appointment procedures.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lynnwood - City Council Work Session - Apr 21, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The council interviewed Jody (last name variously transcribed) for a seat on the History and Heritage Board; the candidate described 20 years in the U.S. Coast Guard and interest in community history projects and wooden‑boat programs.","taxTitle","Lynnwood, Snohomish County, Washington","taxId",58431,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6582597,"Lynnwood advances Unified Development Code draft to implement middle‑housing and align parking rules",1273,10089000,11362000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3074683-2d9518023904631b880919a5ef944c36&start=10089&end=11362","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3074683-2d9518023904631b880919a5ef944c36/thumbnail_10089000.jpg","/articles/6582597/Lynnwood/Snohomish-County/Washington/Lynnwood-advances-Unified-Development-Code-draft-to-implement-middlehousing-and-align-parking-rules","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582597-82266557e0c530ab849076edd79afb22/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195735&Signature=f2DGqFPr3ydFB8QKS6rdgJmZe5cIA86mWvrWg1bkUknPxQ3YbbK~fhE8yweD3AtHh9syjsJaE7wvcHl-QQ0d3bSYQtyEdQVjFwbIN7JnUTxxeCbnOT6GxN2NPtuSCLP-2rqx6~654nGdxVwjJjD7YLRtl5yY3~MbpgrvUpT7KpP1dWCRCJirUH1T8ct56eZzZn8Er6~YmBst97mJJwqEmdew7zRPHNyHnLXDPvHX9TSDSF8NxB5QZENRJ5JfyU66f~GPGZ~jlYla6-4XK9BjH6fpL~EB3T704VZnSEi6kYje2BNEldmSokqd1mvGu-0GfsYn2jENcpte5YZaThGcHA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning staff presented a draft Unified Development Code (UDC) to the Lynnwood City Council on April 21, describing how the consolidated code will implement the city’s housing action plan, middle‑housing objectives and new state parking rules.

The draft combines existing chapters of the municipal code into a single title, clarifies lot and density rules, and updates development‑ and design‑standards. Planning Manager Carl Almgren said the UDC aims to make permit rules clearer and to tie new requirements to the scale of work proposed. He told the council the draft includes a user‑friendly table that shows which standards apply to subdivision, new construction or site modifications.

Middle housing and density: staff said the RN (residential neighborhood) zone will allow up to three units per lot as a matter of right and will allow an additional unit when a project includes an affordable unit or is within a quarter‑mile of a major transit stop. The RN zone will also explicitly permit a range of middle‑housing types — duplexes, triplexes, fourplexes, cottage‑style housing, townhomes and stacked flats — to implement state middle‑housing requirements.

RM‑45 and height incentives: planners proposed a default 45‑foot height limit in the RM‑45 multifamily zone. Additional height up to 75 feet could be achievable through performance bonuses tied to family‑size units, senior housing or affordable units. Almgren said the approach creates predictable floor‑area and height expectations while preserving incentives for projects that provide public benefit.

Open space, building footprint and parking: staff are still finalizing some design controls. The draft calls for minimum open space requirements, and planning staff said they are exploring maximum building footprint controls to discourage oversized single‑story “McMansion” footprints and to encourage cottage‑style design where appropriate. The draft also proposes bicycle parking requirements and seeks to align vehicle parking minimums with the state’s recent parking‑reform legislation.

Process and schedule: staff will host an online open house in eight days for developers and the public and said the UDC is scheduled to go to adoption hearings in May–June, with a target city‑council adoption date of June 20, 2025. Almgren said some UDC sections will be marked “reserved” while staff completes additional topics; if finalization is delayed, the city will adopt a compliant alternative and bring the remaining sections forward later.

Why it matters: the code changes are intended to increase housing supply and choice by making middle housing easier to build in appropriate neighborhoods, while giving the city tools to manage scale, design and neighborhood transitions. Council members asked clarifying questions about lot coverage, the proposed 1,000‑square‑foot per‑unit footprint limit under consideration for some housing types, and how buffers and setbacks will mitigate height transitions next to single‑story neighborhoods.

Next steps: staff will refine open‑space, footprint and buffer language based on public input and return with revised drafts before final hearings.

","City planners presented a draft Unified Development Code that consolidates multiple titles, implements middle‑housing standards (duplexes through stacked flats), proposes a 45‑foot baseline height in RM‑45 with bonuses up to 75 feet for affordable or family‑oriented housing, and aligns parking rules with recent state legislation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6582602,"Planning commission recommends limited retail cannabis zones; council debates buffers and timing",3751,6137000,9888000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3074683-2d9518023904631b880919a5ef944c36&start=6137&end=9888","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3074683-2d9518023904631b880919a5ef944c36/thumbnail_6137000.jpg","/articles/6582602/Lynnwood/Snohomish-County/Washington/Planning-commission-recommends-limited-retail-cannabis-zones-council-debates-buffers-and-timing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582602-751abf9ef5f7ba423ce6c6fb31276201/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195735&Signature=kp3sPoaIoJqR~FhbyrrenYfvpe-8l6EgbpCey3dcERfzVtLxIhG5dg4S~~R90~cFPl9fG-shgG7VwJtaUFqTaQrdA3uzLmpa6PmcNDGmPchdzowCF1kxRy-Aj~ms9OquhSaT~Doj9VzcaFjV0b6ucZadi-hkZzIOlke2zRyJPJNCXQj1iWK8To1wzeFRlKiskQtLrDSV9z4FeTpNtrncrUlW390QEBkh-Uqef0t3diNYy1ywojtxL9wrn44j~Wh3bd81ORU2O~hQSYYnW3Yp2cUvkyeFHYEtAizCsl6yqNFjW-yZMgrNpBicFNP9yIXxDIFvpz9Ybs4ElX8YyqDpSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lynnwood Planning Commission recommended the City Council permit retail cannabis sales in three commercial zones — Highway 99 Mixed Use, General Commercial and the Alderwood zone — subject to buffers and standards, during a work session on April 21. The commission proposed a 1,000‑foot minimum buffer for Highway 99 Mixed Use and General Commercial (subject to the state’s list of restricted entities), a 300‑foot buffer in the Alderwood zone and a requirement that retail cannabis meet the usual landscaping, parking and security standards for the underlying zone. The commission also recommended the council reevaluate the City Center zone after Town Square Park is constructed.

Rebecca Sammie, the principal planner joining remotely, framed the recommendation in state law: “Chapter 69.5 of the RCW provides the statutes for recreational cannabis,” she told the council, and state rules allow local governments to reduce a 1,000‑foot buffer to as little as 100 feet for certain uses — though the statutes exclude reductions for elementary and secondary schools and public playgrounds.

Why it matters: Lynnwood currently has an allocation of four retail licenses from the state. Planning staff said the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) presented revenue examples for neighboring jurisdictions, noting cumulative sales‑tax receipts in the approximate range of $100,000 for cities with four retail licenses. Council members focused on two main concerns: (1) whether permitting in City Center should be postponed until Town Square Park is built, because a park could later create buffer conflicts that would grandfather in existing businesses; and (2) whether the city should take more time to set precise buffer rules so retail shops do not cluster near one another.

Council debate and timing: Several council members urged more study and public input before finalizing rules. Council member Decker said he remains opposed to allowing retail cannabis in Lynnwood and cited public‑health concerns. Other members — including Council President Coelho and Council member Parcel — urged caution about adopting permanent limits driven by a park that will not be complete for years.

Staff also warned of a procedural deadline: to have an ordinance considered concurrently with the city’s Unified Development Code work, staff said they must submit a 60‑day notice to the Department of Commerce by April 23. Planning Manager Carl Almgren told councilors a draft ordinance would be needed quickly to meet that timing; councilors argued they want broader public input and additional council discussion before directing staff to draft final code language.

The commission’s recommendation did not set a numerical cap on total licenses beyond the state allocation; staff noted the state’s social‑equity program could increase local allocations in the future. Commissioners also discussed advertisement rules, security measures such as bollards and site design considerations for retail cannabis.

Next steps: Council members asked staff to return with more detailed options on buffer distances, the practical effect of grandfathering if the park is built later, and a clearer revenue and enforcement analysis. Several councilors said they prefer that a draft ordinance be developed but not rushed: the item can move forward on a future council agenda after additional work sessions and public hearings.

","The Lynnwood Planning Commission recommended allowing retail recreational cannabis in three commercial zones with specified buffers and a re‑evaluation of City Center after the planned Town Square Park. Council members raised concerns about buffer distances, the process timeline and a looming 60‑day notice to the state.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":46,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6582607,"Lynnwood prosecutors outline caseload, retail-theft diversion and LEAD partnership",3790,5986000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3074683-2d9518023904631b880919a5ef944c36&start=2196&end=5986","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3074683-2d9518023904631b880919a5ef944c36/thumbnail_2196000.jpg","/articles/6582607/Lynnwood/Snohomish-County/Washington/Lynnwood-prosecutors-outline-caseload-retail-theft-diversion-and-LEAD-partnership","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6582607-89f0cc32aa1ea5b7fb013698b2dc2a03/orig.mp4?Expires=1771195735&Signature=ki5rwyRKYo8KMkY~nJagPIYWxrMbl5FqdUdp6UliPPlKFcFCndUSzeHHBCeuHTUdihE8pUc7WiDNrm6kPJAn2qDjSbbbsq-xJrHClQsQeRKDSR8onv6O6TZBqttP9iTE4jpCfjP6PtiUgzVR9fHzz~O6DQRUaz39xT6PSyLmHieD2Ji7UsXRSMQt1Uemjj8SW0m~RuPmSfRLBRiMwhNP5MnFCnmWZDu3TPojAGnj-DKjF95JZg0vGOjFzZQaWG0kFljzRtTq0qre9Ih5LO3GQpPyTrHhSFjbejhSPx1UvuZNd6jwCoCUSQ5ZHwHbW9V74XyBvFi1AL-9KkE25vKiXA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Lynnwood city prosecutors from the firm Zacker, Stock & Kreps summarized the office’s workload and programs during the council’s April 21 work session, reporting high volumes of theft and traffic cases and describing a prosecutor‑led diversion pilot tied to LEAD (Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion). The presenters also described digital case management upgrades and said the city will soon run two courtroom schedules concurrently.

The presentation gave elected officials a snapshot of case filings and program outcomes. Chad Kreps, one of the firm’s principals, said the office handled nearly 1,000 filings for theft in the third degree in 2024 and had roughly 340 theft filings so far in 2025. He also reported 140 DUI filings in 2024 and 303 year‑to‑date in 2025, and 217 possession of a controlled substance filings in 2024 with 75 year‑to‑date. On prosecution technology, Kreps said the office has “gone digital” with a product identified in the presentation as Prosecutor by Carpel, and called it “a lifesaver.”

Why it matters: council members said the numbers help explain pressure on police and courts and shaped their questions about diversion, light‑rail impacts and long‑term funding. The diversion pilot — organized under the Washington Organized Retail Crime Association (WARCA) grant — channels eligible retail‑theft defendants into LEAD or into stipulated orders of continuance instead of immediate criminal adjudication.

Prosecutors and city staff said the WARCA pilot was funded with roughly $200,000 for Lynnwood; about $100,000 of that was used to supplement police staffing and a dedicated prosecutor slot. Yelena (last name not stated), the prosecutor who described the retail‑theft program, said the grant covered six months and that “in June, we will no longer have that grant.” She urged the council to consider the limits of short‑term grants when evaluating program sustainability.

Program details and early results: staff provided the following counts from the pilot (figures quoted by prosecutors): 894 retail‑theft‑associated cases were identified in the court system; of those, about 170 people were offered diversion when they appeared in court, 70 opted into diversion, 5 opted out, 29 were disqualified for program criteria and 35 were diverted into LEAD services. Prosecutors said some participants are referred directly to LEAD and others are offered a stipulated order of continuance tied to treatment or education.

On the LEAD coordination, prosecutors described a warm‑handoff process: referrals are sent to LEAD, a LEAD representative meets defendants at arraignment when possible, and participants are expected to schedule an intake appointment. The prosecution office tracks completion and reported it will continue to follow up on diverted cases after the grant ends to measure recidivism.

Other matters raised by councilors included public safety staffing and the effect of the new light‑rail station. Council member Decker told the council that Lynnwood Police responded to 10,254 calls in the first three months of 2025, citing data from a county meeting he attended; prosecutors and police staff said light rail appears to have changed patterns of trespass and theft near the transit hub, with officers reporting more activity when trains let off riders late at night.

Staffing and court operations: Kreps said the city will soon have a second judicial officer and a second full courtroom, which will let the court run two dockets concurrently. Prosecutors described a new case coordinator role and victim‑services coordination with the Lynnwood Police Department’s victim services staff.

Limitations and next steps: prosecutors repeatedly cautioned that the pilot’s funding is temporary and that continued tracking is needed to evaluate whether diversion reduces repeat retail theft. “We were only able to secure the grant for six months,” prosecutors said; they plan to continue collecting outcome data and to seek additional funding through state programs and grants.

Ending note: city prosecutors encouraged council members to visit the prosecutor office and court to see operations first‑hand and offered to provide more detailed statistics on request.

","Prosecutors from Zacker, Stock & Kreps gave the City Council a detailed overview of municipal caseloads, technology upgrades and a prosecutor‑driven retail‑theft diversion pilot that is tied to LEAD. Officials warned a six‑month grant that funds the program ends in June.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lynnwood council interviews candidate for History and Heritage Board

Lynnwood advances Unified Development Code draft to implement middle‑housing and align parking rules

Planning commission recommends limited retail cannabis zones; council debates buffers and timing

Lynnwood prosecutors outline caseload, retail-theft diversion and LEAD partnership