Everett council moves forward with second reading of buffer-zone ordinance after mixed public comment

The Everett City Council held a second reading Oct. 15 of council bill 2509-53, a proposed amendment creating service/facility "buffer zones" in parts of downtown, and set a final reading for Oct. 22, 2025.

The ordinance drew both support and opposition during public comment. Liz Denning, representing the Downtown Everett Association, said the buffer zones have helped downtown businesses and cleaning crews. "We've been we've seen some meaningful improvements downtown recently. Some reports from our cleaning our cleaning crews are they're seeing fewer incidents of trash and biohazards," Denning said, adding that areas near the Everpark garage and the Imagine Children's Museum feel "more, inviting and secure and also easier for our crew to navigate." Denning also noted the ordinance requires a right-of-way use permit for food-supply distribution events and said she has observed more coordination between Everett Police Department staff and social workers.

Several residents said the ordinance addresses immediate public-safety and service-delivery concerns but is not a long-term solution to homelessness. Charles McMurray, an Everett resident, said the measure helps first responders reach people in need: "This ordinance allows those first responders to get there and address a circumstance that needs to be addressed." He urged the council to pass the ordinance unanimously as a first step.

Other speakers warned of unintended consequences. Scott Sparling opposed the expansion of buffer zones and raised civil-liberties concerns, asking, "Who hasn't materially helped, and to whose benefit?" He and others said enforcement can be selective and that the policy risks criminalizing people for using public parks or streets. Brian Partington said the observed decrease in emergency calls within buffer zones may reflect a citywide decline and warned that displacement could move people into more dangerous locations: "I have concerns about the buffer zone because, while there has been a correlated decrease in police or emergency services calls, from our area, it does seem to be mostly in line with citywide decreases."

Council discussion focused on the measure's limits and on service delivery citywide. Council member Ryan asked for additional data about calls and disbursement patterns outside buffer zones, and later noted the city's outreach teams and social workers provide referrals regardless of whether a call occurs inside a buffer zone, saying, "They are providing that service regardless." Council member Beauvoir acknowledged the ordinance can clear trash and make business districts more navigable but called it a "band aid," stressing the need for more shelter and long-term services.

The council did not take a final vote on Oct. 15. The ordinance remained at second reading; the meeting record shows the council scheduled a final reading for Oct. 22, 2025. Staff were asked to provide additional information about service-call trends outside buffer zones and about the ordinance's disbursement effects to neighborhoods that receive displaced individuals.

What the ordinance would change: the draft ordinance extends or clarifies buffer zones in designated downtown areas; it includes a permitting requirement for food-distribution events using the public right of way and formalizes coordination between Everett Police Department and social-service staff, according to public testimony. Supporters say the changes have reduced trash and hazards and helped businesses and crews; opponents said the measure risks displacement, selective enforcement, and reduced informal life-saving interventions in encampments.

The council's next step is a final reading and possible vote on Oct. 22, 2025. If adopted, the record shows the city will continue monitoring service calls, coordinating EPD and social workers, and responding to requests for area-specific adjustments.

Votes at this meeting on other items are summarized separately.