The Everett Planning Commission's recommendations for Rethink Zoning have moved forward to the Everett City Council, with a public hearing scheduled for October 14th at 6:30 p.m. The City Council will be briefed this Wednesday, September 30th at 6:30 p.m.
Rethink Zoning is a multi-year initiative to update and simplify the City’s zoning code. The current version of the City’s zoning code was adopted in 1989. For the past thirty years, the City has added to its development regulations without careful consideration of duplication and conflict with other code provisions.
The ordinance proposed creates a “Unified Development Code” which includes zoning, land divisions and environmental policy all in one title. The ordinance also amends related chapters tied to the Historical Commission, Street Construction and Local Project Review Procedures.
The draft plan and code amendments would consolidate multifamily, commercial, industrial and overlay zones from 43 zoning districts and zoning overlays down to 20. Many provisions of existing code would be consolidated, including building heights, building form and design, and residential standards. The Local Project Review procedures have been rewritten to be easier to read, and some notice and decision-making is proposed for change. Additional exemptions from State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) review for infill development, authorized by the State Legislature, have been added. The ordinance includes repeal of 51 existing chapters of the Everett Municipal Code, amendment of 5 chapters, and the addition of 31 new chapters being considered.
More information on Rethink Zoning can be found at www.everettwa.gov/rethink and the following:
Any comments on the draft ordinances can be sent to planning@everettwa.gov and/or to council@everettwa.gov.
