Everett Planning Commission Can’t Agree on Land Use Concept For Kimberly Clark Site

Tonight the Everett Planning Commission held a public hearing to consider four alternatives to a plan for redevelopment of the Central Everett Waterfront Planning Area. The area comprises the land surrounding the site of the Kimberly Clark plant which is in the process of being demolished with the property for sale. Tonight the public was asked to weigh in on four alternatives of a plan that would guide any future development. 13 different people addressed the commissioners and offered support for each of the alternatives which ranged from keeping the zoning as it currently stands which would allow uses that range anywhere from heavy industry to adult entertainment or bingo parlors to heavily restricting the uses of the property and requiring public access and a trail system. After hearing from the public the commissioners talked among themselves and discussed the pros and cons of the four alternatives. “It is our very uncomfortable task to be the commission that does our best to decide on an alternative,” said Michelle Sosin, chair of the planning commission. “What is the highest and best use? Uncomfortable, but what we’re here to do.” After much back and forth the commission directed the city of Everett planning staff to draft a fifth alternative that allowed a wide range of uses that includes heavy industrial but excludes things like bingo parlors, adult clubs or similar non-industrial operations that would have been allowed under alternative number 1. The commission also wants to include use and performance standards as well as site and building standards. Everett Planning Director Allan Giffen told MyEverettNews.com that they will put together the information and get it up on the planning commission’s website so the public can have a look and make comments. Another public hearing will be held on October 23rd to hopefully finalize a draft preferred alternative.