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Lynnwood planners outline City Center + Alderwood subarea plan ahead of PSRC review
Summary
Staff presented a draft City Center + Alderwood subarea plan and draft EIS, proposing a revised regional growth center boundary and concentrated-growth preferred alternative to guide jobs, housing and transit for the next 20 years.
City planning staff on June 2 briefed the City Council on the draft City Center + Alderwood subarea plan, a 20-year framework intended to coordinate housing, jobs and infrastructure around two planned light-rail stations and to support Lynnwood—s Regional Growth Center (RGC) certification with the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC).
The subarea plan and its draft environmental impact statement (DEIS) analyze land use, housing, parks and natural resources, multimodal transportation, utilities and economic development across a revised RGC boundary the city has submitted to PSRC. "This area will be home to two light-rail stations, more residential units, and increased job growth," Senior Planner Catherine Kato said, summarizing the plan—s purpose.
Why it matters: the plan maps how Lynnwood intends to channel growth around transit and employment areas, sets policy direction for design and public facilities, and may influence eligibility for regional funding tied to certified regional growth centers.
Key elements of the draft plan - RGC boundary and targets: The draft revises the existing RGC boundary to remove large nonproductive areas (interstate right-of-way and a large wetland) to better meet PSRC activity-unit targets. Staff said the RGC had about 1,799 housing units in 2020 and has since seen more than 2,000 units built through 2025. - Preferred alternative: The DEIS studied three alternatives and identified Alternative 2, a concentrated-growth alternative, as preferred because it aligns with the city—s Imagine Lynnwood comprehensive plan and compacts growth around transit. - Transportation and public-space projects: The plan identifies multimodal and capital projects to support growth, including Poplar Way improvements, 40th Street pedestrian projects, the 34th/30th corridor improvements near the West Alderwood Station, and an overarching City Center streetscape concept to improve walking, biking and transit connections. - Design, parks and utilities: Chapters include community design guidelines, tree preservation and landscaping expectations, and a utilities/service assessment that ties stormwater, water and sewer plans to the growth scenario.
Public process and schedule Staff issued a DEIS on April 23, took public comments through May 23, and said the final EIS (FEIS) is expected later this week. The Planning Commission held a public hearing and on May 22 recommended approval of the subarea plan. Council staff said a public hearing on the subarea plan, the UDC and annual comprehensive-plan amendments is scheduled for next week; staff will forward the FEIS and planned-action materials for council consideration.
What was not decided No council action or vote occurred at the June 2 work session. The City Center + Alderwood plan will proceed through the planned public hearing and subsequent council deliberation.
Next steps Staff will submit the plan to PSRC for RGC certification and expects to adopt a planned-action ordinance following the FEIS to streamline environmental review for qualifying projects in the subarea.
