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Committee approves master-plan zoning changes and Docklands Innovation District amendments
Summary
The committee voted favorably as amended on two zoning ordinances: a citywide master-planned development section (36) and the Everett Docklands Innovation District (Section 37). Amendments include a half-acre master-plan threshold, higher open-space minimums in EDID, and clarified use, parking, and definition changes.
The Everett City Council Committee on Legislative Affairs and Elections voted to recommend as amended two zoning ordinance changes: Section 36 establishing a master‑planned development process and Section 37 creating the Everett Docklands Innovation District (EDID), which applies to the ExxonMobil site area.
Matt Lattanzi, the city’s Director of Planning and Development, said the master‑plan language was prompted by a potential proponent seeking to redevelop roughly 96–100 acres under a master‑planned approach. Section 36 would enable planning‑board review and approval of master plans for parcels of half an acre or greater that propose more than one structure; the planning board had recommended reducing the threshold from 1 acre to 0.5 acre to allow more landowners to pursue master plans.
Lattanzi summarized planning‑board edits to Section 36—technical changes to frontage calculations for on‑street parking permits, added building‑department coordination for construction permitting, and clarifications to amendment thresholds (floor‑area ratio, height and trip‑generation amendments below 15% would not alone constitute a major amendment).
Section 37 (EDID) was amended to increase minimum open space from 5% to 15% and to clarify land area per dwelling unit for sites of 2 acres or more. The EDID edits also revised permitted and prohibited uses (adding a data‑center use; removing language allowing drive‑thrus as part of fast‑food establishments; adjusting use lists such as bars, tattoo/body‑art studios), updated parking ratios (elderly/handicapped housing from 0.4 to 0.5 spaces per unit), and added definitions (including data center and substation). Lattanzi emphasized that adopting zoning does not approve any specific project and that master plans and subsequent building proposals would undergo separate planning‑board and site‑plan review.
Councilors asked about street‑naming authority (planning board may require proposed names as part of submittal), the scale of the potential development (Lattanzi called the ~100‑acre proposal likely one of the largest private developments ever in Everett), and public‑safety implications; councilors requested that public‑safety and host‑agreement considerations be addressed as the project advances.
After discussion, the committee moved and passed a favorable action as amended on the zoning ordinances; the measure proceeds to the full council.
