Everett planning commission backs May 30 Everett 20 44 drafts, removes inclusionary zoning from recommendation

The Everett Planning Commission voted June 3 to recommend adoption of the May 30 drafts of the Everett 20 44 comprehensive plan and associated development regulations, subject to a commission amendment that removes the proposed inclusionary zoning section and asks the City Council to pursue subarea planning and anti-displacement measures for the parts of south Everett affected by the rule.

The recommendation follows a staff presentation of the May 30 draft materials, a summary of substantive changes since earlier drafts, and a public hearing that included comments from neighborhood residents, the Port of Everett and building-industry representatives. The commission took a series of roll-call votes: first to open the public hearing, then on the resolution transmitting the commission’s recommendation to the City Council with amendments. All recorded votes were unanimous.

Staff told the commission the May 30 materials include two proposed ordinances (one adopting the comprehensive plan and one adopting development regulation amendments), a housing appendix, a transportation appendix, a change report summarizing substantive edits from April 7 and May 10 drafts, a specific-amendment disposition memo, and a final supplemental environmental impact statement (SEIS) and response appendix to be posted to everettwah.gov/2040four. Staff said the SEIS added a housing needs analysis and land-capacity analysis and otherwise made mostly minor corrections to the draft SEIS.

Why this matters: Everett 20 44 is the periodic comprehensive-plan update that guides where housing and related development can occur in Everett for years to come. Changes in zoning, development standards and administrative tools included in the update affect neighborhood character, development feasibility and the city’s ability to meet state and regional growth targets.

Key outcomes and directions

- Recommendation to City Council: The commission moved to recommend the May 30 draft comprehensive plan and development regulations to the City Council, with the explicit amendment removing the inclusionary zoning regulations (the section in the draft code identified as the inclusionary zoning provision). The commission’s recommendation also asks the council to…