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Staff recommends easing some building modulation rules, discusses heights and inclusionary options
Summary
At the May 20 workshop staff proposed rolling back certain stepback and modulation requirements for larger mixed-use and multifamily buildings, discussed height limits and incentives, and described a draft inclusionary approach and a freight-compatibility overlay addressing Port of Everett concerns.
Planning staff presented a set of proposed changes to urban residential and mixed-use development standards on May 20, saying the revisions aim to make larger buildings more practical while preserving active street fronts and neighborhood transitions.
Staff recommended removing some upper-floor stepback requirements that architects and builders find difficult to construct and instead proposed alternatives such as requiring balconies or outdoor areas on upper floors to provide “eyes on the street.” The planning director described the stepback removal as part of a broader effort to simplify rules that have produced little public-policy benefit but add construction complexity.
Staff also proposed consolidating overlapping chapters into a single…
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