Councilmembers return from CNU conference with ideas on gentle density, placemaking and code reform

Two councilmembers recapped lessons from the Congress for the New Urbanism conference and suggested local experiments that could advance Lynnwood’s City Center and housing goals.

Council President Coelho described the conference’s emphasis on "show, don't tell" demonstration projects — short‑term, visible installations that help communities visualize changes such as temporary bike lanes or cottage‑cluster housing — and said Lynnwood could borrow approaches tried elsewhere. "Show, don't tell" was a repeated theme of the sessions he and colleagues attended.

Council Member Wright, who attended 13 workshops, highlighted presentations that tested building‑code flexibility, permit streamlining and tools to measure neighborhood opportunity. She raised concerns about displacement tied to large redevelopment programs and urged careful community engagement and design goals to avoid unintended outcomes.

Speakers also shared placemaking data: a small, low‑cost painted crosswalk and wayfinding pilot in a Fayetteville neighborhood produced a roughly 30% reduction in crashes at treated intersections, the council reported. Coelho and Wright recommended the council consider targeted demonstrations and continued staff professional development to apply lessons in Lynnwood’s planning and public‑space work.

Councilmembers did not vote on policy changes at the work session but encouraged staff to consider these approaches when capacity and budgets allow.