[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-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],{"_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",6455903,"mediaKeyId","5706837-3c147efc4962a5f6595f68a41cfb6722","parentId",5706837,"title","Lynnwood council debates clearer residency and multiple‑office rules; staff to return with revised language","audioSeconds",2782,"startMs",3398000,"endMs",6180000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5706837-3c147efc4962a5f6595f68a41cfb6722&start=3398&end=6180","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5706837-3c147efc4962a5f6595f68a41cfb6722/thumbnail_3398000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6455903/Lynnwood/Snohomish-County/Washington/Lynnwood-council-debates-clearer-residency-and-multipleoffice-rules-staff-to-return-with-revised-language","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455903-6525186e5069703d3ff71f5063ed7e6b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152409&Signature=FnsuQDOkX57clbjrkZMNm1ROJdHi4kGLUl1reiQYurw68jGSxsKGLvROSgMZzXnyrAHVSM4wphOOvHnSIczAuboMRD0TeTQt0Kh9tbesiBuRPXngCUA~nzVnrS877zk0sCZwO0lzlHrn5vZCND9cP9fBG0pxh0TK~0yQeBorPNju~3XQU65aEv2wDV6H9eZxXNCLgSaZsFo~8LDCRsWhZ0IvQZ73Qzg6fLv8jFTrJ7chaF-PMNioKmv02olBhZIpd84RJgUvqNP2WVSqfD5Yyr5rLXZj3sX4hInOxmYS5twG~0v33H9AQt5KgWgtjWIpSKKyJpRELj0ayVC2U0zIsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lynnwood","date","2025-09-02T00:00:00Z","article","Councilmember Decker presented draft amendments on Sept. 2 meant to clarify who is eligible to hold Lynnwood office and to remove ambiguous residency language that the council and staff said has led to disputes in other jurisdictions.

The draft would require council members to reside in Lynnwood for the duration of their term but would permit an up‑to‑60‑day exception for “extreme hardship” during a four‑year term. It also would require any council member elected or appointed to another paid elective public office to resign or have the city position vacated when the new term begins. Staff said City Attorney Lisa Marshall reviewed the language and had no legal concerns with the draft as presented.

Why it matters: ambiguous residency and eligibility language can lead to legal challenges, which council members said can be costly and disruptive. Council members cited recent disputes in nearby Everett as an example of how unclear code can trigger lawsuits and uncertainty about who may lawfully hold office.

Discussion highlights

- Hardship clause and enforcement: Several council members asked who would determine whether a reported hardship qualified, how the 60‑day total would be tracked and whether the provision would be enforceable in the event of a disaster (for example, if a large‑scale event forced residents out of the city). Staff said the council had previously requested removing an enforcement mechanism from the draft; that removal means the community would have to challenge eligibility in cases where residency is disputed.

- Renters vs. homeowners: Council members raised that verification mechanisms (leases vs. mortgage records) operate differently for renters and homeowners and warned the code should not indirectly disadvantage renters. Other members said affadavits and existing voter‑registration processes (auditor/registrar channels) provide established mechanisms for community challenge.

- Holding multiple offices and employees running for office: Staff clarified the draft does not prohibit a city employee from running; it only requires an employee to resign city employment if they take a separate paid elective public office. Council members discussed whether to phrase the prohibition in terms of an automatic vacancy when another paid elective office begins and whether to name exceptions (for example, quasi‑municipal boards appointed because one is a sitting elected official).

Next steps

No vote was taken. Council members asked staff to revise the draft to address clarity concerns (definition or process for hardship, the timing of vacancy if someone assumes another office, and language to avoid unintended effects on employees and candidates). The revised language will appear in a future packet for further review.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lynnwood - City Council Work Session","oneSentenceSummary","Councilmember Decker presented draft amendments on Sept. 2 meant to clarify who is eligible to hold Lynnwood office and to remove ambiguous residency language that the council and staff said has led to disputes in other jurisdictions.","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},6455905,"Lynnwood prepares for annexation of former Meadowdale/Alderwood middle school site; public hearing set",353,2947000,3300000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5706837-3c147efc4962a5f6595f68a41cfb6722&start=2947&end=3300","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5706837-3c147efc4962a5f6595f68a41cfb6722/thumbnail_2947000.jpg","/articles/6455905/Lynnwood/Snohomish-County/Washington/Lynnwood-prepares-for-annexation-of-former-MeadowdaleAlderwood-middle-school-site-public-hearing-set","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455905-e98ccb3eaa311fdf4dc46325235159ab/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152409&Signature=EO96X6i9LPF2cztrBhvqWNNMwufifPSj-~Vh2oiRAnbU3sEe9M6q7PxxYKNC7JIryPEBjmikIKAM2jqpI0R6TIE2oeDwWE28onunenndWaGXGDB1NeB3YEW5nHhSP9S7vpX6W5mmn7z4pmu1pbl~u27gXe-R-cDQXlozpsMfVIvXdA3VVBS8XPvPGwurunVK2nxqzWHsVfY7j~ZnRiY-vuFeRmfSqQ34woyhk1BatQsTZ5TbsNs18zytkRfGhOl8QCmyBNu~sn7cf4GpvaAefB-GXBe7I9lEiyu0ss8HFAkpZ4z1gE9sgHHe9oA-IECbVudPLIdKdQqItcUuf8xnlg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning staff told the Lynnwood City Council on Sept. 2 that the annexation petition for a school site in the southern planning area has cleared county review and is scheduled for public hearing before the city next week, with staff asking the council to consider an implementing ordinance the same night.

Rebecca Sammie, the city’s principal planner, and Community Planning Manager Carl Almgren summarized the process: the council previously passed two resolutions supporting the annexation petition; the petition went to the Boundary Review Board, which accepted jurisdiction; Snohomish County Council subsequently completed its review; and the district has requested that Lynnwood conduct a public hearing and take final action to clarify jurisdiction before the school redevelopment proceeds.

Why it matters: the Edmonds School District’s redevelopment plan covers roughly 20 contiguous acres abutting Heritage Park and Alderwood Mall Parkway, and district officials told staff they are proceeding with permit submittals. Annexation would place future permitting and related fees under Lynnwood jurisdiction and formalize public‑safety and utility responsibilities for students and residents near the site.

Key points from staff and council discussion

- Notification and outreach: Staff said adjacent property owners have been notified by postcard and newspaper notice and that a sign is posted at the property to announce the upcoming hearing.

- Service and fiscal impacts: Staff said the property is tax‑exempt as a school and would not generate property tax revenue; permit and review fees would reimburse some city staff time but staff did not identify a material net fiscal gain. The Lynnwood Police Department’s chief has reviewed demand projections and told staff the department can accommodate any modest additional calls related to the school.

- Timing and council consideration: Because the Edmonds School District is progressing with permit submittals, staff asked the council to consider action the same night as the public hearing to provide jurisdictional certainty. Some council members noted the city’s usual practice of holding a two‑week period between a hearing and an action to allow neighbors time to review materials; the council retains the option to postpone adoption and allow that 14‑day period.

Council members asked for additional information about the economic and operational impacts of annexation. Staff replied that, because the site would remain tax‑exempt, the city’s principal gains are administrative: permit review fees and a clarified service relationship with the school district.

No final action was taken at the Sept. 2 work session. Staff said the public hearing is scheduled for the council’s next meeting; staff will present an ordinance for council consideration that evening unless the council elects to delay action to allow additional public review.","City planning staff told the Lynnwood City Council on Sept. 2 that the annexation petition for a school site in the southern planning area has cleared county review and is scheduled for public hearing before the city next week, with staff asking the council to consider an implementing ordinance the same night.",{"_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},6455911,"Lynnwood staff present draft retail cannabis rules, planning commission backs larger buffers",456,269000,725000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5706837-3c147efc4962a5f6595f68a41cfb6722&start=269&end=725","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5706837-3c147efc4962a5f6595f68a41cfb6722/thumbnail_269000.jpg","/articles/6455911/Lynnwood/Snohomish-County/Washington/Lynnwood-staff-present-draft-retail-cannabis-rules-planning-commission-backs-larger-buffers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6455911-12d0e16d4075a6c60483d7b383e3c39c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771152409&Signature=ouANSnqRhb1I~L8ZGlVBAGVZM6IyCVMh1pfljcqjaLTiQjYsmJxtMjqtRD5v0n9Z8kfoEFqD1yPaRWKDEEI9Sxk26LRhufUKkETi9WukJOqGyqd6NL8kG8AqARX0IRKKxmHTVnRQn2oem8HMSVonoYfZ143yEtjS9HG03V3hmy2SrzwZ80lldHdrJvK6Fmhhl43THzeb6cSALX6DkJBm0kVFsfpxqF7olktv-AfOTUXeoXBUFW-8oR3PmmsGMRt5y~R~mNe8zQzwEuFUTn73VR~O4IRA6Xug7NQ5z6~jFw3fTUZxZR-1coiW-P05nos9lmd3jK5JCawEBW~ntw~dzQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","City planning staff on Sept. 2 presented a draft ordinance that would allow retail cannabis stores in Lynnwood’s City Center, Alderwood, Planned Commercial Development, General Commercial and Highway 99 Mixed Use zones, and outlined buffer, signage and licensing limits the council will consider.

The ordinance text before the council follows state definitions and Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board requirements and, as drafted, includes a 300-foot minimum buffer from some restricted entities that the Planning Commission recommended, and a 1,000-foot buffer specifically from planned playgrounds that are identified in an adopted capital facilities plan or secured by a council-approved site-specific development agreement.

Planning staff said the Planning Commission landed on a 300-foot minimum after hearing community concerns — especially about the Alderwood Boys & Girls Club — and after members concluded a 100-foot buffer in some places (effectively “across the street” on Highway 99) did not feel protective enough. Staff stressed the draft applies only to retail cannabis (not production or processing) and that distance is measured property-line to property-line under the proposed methodology.

Why it matters: the buffer and planned-park language would affect where retailers can locate near properties the city has legally committed to develop. Council members repeatedly raised the tension between protecting youth-serving facilities and not constraining lawful businesses for years while parks remain undeveloped.

Key details from the discussion

- Zones and uses: Staff said the ordinance would add retail cannabis to Lynnwood’s unified development code as a permitted retail/general-services use in the zones listed above and carry forward citywide design guidelines and business-license requirements.

- Buffers: The Planning Commission recommended increasing the baseline buffer from 100 feet to 300 feet for restricted entities such as recreation facilities; staff explained state law already requires a 300‑foot standard in some comparisons and that parks and playgrounds are treated differently under state law. For playgrounds that are planned and committed by the city in an adopted capital facilities plan or a council‑approved development agreement (staff used Northline Village and Town Square Park as examples), the draft sets a 1,000‑foot separation.

- Licenses and LCB certificates: Lynnwood has been allocated four retail licenses by the state; staff explained those four are “certificate holders” who applied previously to the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board (LCB) and would have six months to complete the local and state licensing process if the city lifts its local restrictions. Council members asked how future state actions to increase the number of licenses would be handled; staff said the LCB determines license counts and that the city would then need to decide how to administer any new local approvals.

- Alternatives discussed: Council members suggested a range of approaches instead of a citywide 1,000‑foot future‑playground buffer, including (a) limiting the city to its current four licenses, (b) writing separation requirements between retailers to prevent clustering, (c) exploring interim zoning or memoranda of understanding for sites with known future uses, and (d) building a two‑year public‑safety review into council follow‑up. Some members argued limiting license numbers creates administrative fairness questions (who gets a cap slot), while others said a site‑based geographic separation is easier to administer.

- Signage and A‑frame boards: Staff clarified the draft follows state requirements on off‑premise signage; typical on‑premise A‑frame/directional signs are allowed within distance limits already in city code but off‑premise signs placed in the right‑of‑way would be prohibited.

- Nearby uses and measurement examples: Staff said the methadone/treatment clinic near the Alderwood Boys & Girls Club is roughly 150 feet north by the city’s edge‑to‑edge measurement method, and council members noted privately owned playgrounds or church playgrounds would not trigger the same public‑ownership buffer protections unless they are demonstrated to be public in operation or covered by an agreement.

Council action and next steps

No ordinance was adopted at the Sept. 2 work session. Staff said a public hearing is scheduled for the council’s meeting next week to receive public testimony, with formal consideration of the ordinance targeted for Sept. 22, 2025. Staff also said they will provide answers to the council’s list of technical questions and include map layers showing the effects of 100‑, 300‑ and 1,000‑foot buffers.

Staff and planning commissioners cited community input — especially concerns tied to the Alderwood Boys & Girls Club and planned parks at Northline Village and Town Square Park — as the principal reasons for the Planning Commission’s 300‑foot recommendation. Council members varied in preference: some favored treating cannabis like any other retail use, while others sought explicit protections for specific future park commitments.

The city’s planning team, the council and the LCB remain the primary actors in next steps; staff said they will return with refined ordinance language and maps in the upcoming packet and will be available at the public hearing to take testimony.","City staff presented a draft ordinance to allow retail cannabis in several commercial zones, with the planning commission recommending a 300-foot buffer from certain sensitive uses and a 1,000-foot separation from planned playgrounds; the council scheduled a public hearing next week and may act Sept. 22.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lynnwood council debates clearer residency and multiple‑office rules; staff to return with revised language

Lynnwood prepares for annexation of former Meadowdale/Alderwood middle school site; public hearing set

Lynnwood staff present draft retail cannabis rules, planning commission backs larger buffers