Public Meeting Tuesday Evening For Proposed Pallet Shelter Site At Corner of Glenwood and Sievers Duecy Blvd In Everett

A year ago Volunteers of America Western Washington filed for a Land Use Permit with the City of Everett, Washington to operate a pallet shelter community to house women and children. The pallet shelters would be located on city-owned land near the corner of Glenwood and Sievers Duecy Boulevard. Written comments have been accepted for some time and now a public meeting will happen at 6:00 PM tomorrow (Tuesday night November 21st) at North Shore Christian Church at 5700 23rd Avenue West Everett, WA 98203.

According to public notice about the meeting. The Applicant is proposing twenty 100-square-foot pallet shelters for up to four family members per unit with a maximum stay of 12 months per family. The proposal also includes 4-bathroom units (toilet/sink/shower), a unit for meetings, a unit for staff offices and break room, and a unit for laundry.

The maximum duration of this facility shall not exceed one year however the Planning Director may grant extensions for up to one year each provided all conditions have been complied with and circumstances with the use have not changed.

Here’s what the project description reads from the Land Use Permit Application:

Using ARPA funds that the City County approved in 2021, the City of Everett purchased 20 100sf Pallet units for “group housing/temporary shelters”. City staff vetted city owned parcels suitable to develop a Pallet shelter community site. Based on criteria such as adequate and suitable land, neighborhood impact, affordability, access for emergency services, environmental impacts, access to transit, development regulations, topography, utilities access, this site on the corner of Glenwood and Sievers Duecy Blvd was identified.

Volunteers of America Western Washington will be the human services agency that will manage the site. The site will be developed as a pilot, and structures will be permanent.

At this site single mothers and their children will be provided with transitional housing and comprehensive wraparound supportive services. In May of 2022, City Council approved use of ARPA funds for site development, with the purchase additional pallet unit including those for restrooms/showers, staff units, a community space, etc.
 
Editor’s Note: Neighbors have expressed concern over the site being near such a high traffic area citing multiple warehouse-delivery operations in the neighborhood with a high level of vehicular traffic. Proponents of the site will be on hand to explain the duration and operation of the proposed outdoor emergency shelter, management plan, and to answer questions about the proposal.

The City of Everett has been dealing with multiple housing needs across the city including temporary shelters, permanent low-barrier housing, low income housing, middle-market housing, single family housing, multi-family housing and market rate housing. All of which the city needs and each with its own set of challenges.