EVERETT, OCT. 11: The Everett City Council heard a briefing of a proposed rezoning of the former location of Waits Motel and heard an update on the Outdoor Multipurpose Facility Project.
In August the council voted to condemn Waits Motel located on 1301 Lombard Ave. The hotel had a long history of crime, prompting the city to buy the hotel at $1.85 million with the hopes of rezoning and selling to private ownership.
Opposition to the city’s decision came from long-time tenants of Waits and new manager at the time Emily Simpson.
After hearing public and council comments, the Hearing Examiner issued a recommendation to approve the rezone on Sept. 23, Scott Pattison Special Projects Manager for the city said.
“This rezone will provide the opportunity for new home ownership in our city while preserving the history of this historic neighborhood the Donovan District,” Pattison said during the meeting.
The site is currently zoned as Single-Family Detached Medium Density (R-2) with a 28 ft maximum building height, city planning director Yorik Stevens-Wajda said.
The city’s recommended rezone could allow for 14 to 16 three-story fee simple townhome units for the location. Fee simple townhome development would create needed middle housing.
“Right now where we don’t have a whole a bunch of single-family opportunities and we aren’t doing condos much really at all, this kind of townhouse seems like the best ownership opportunity I can see…,” councilmember Ben Zarlingo said.
Councilmember Liz Vogeli expressed frustrations with the council’s lack of involvement with the decision-making process for Waits.
“I would like to discuss the elephant in the room… we were consistently told that the council would have all of the discretion, opportunity and time to discuss, plan and decide what was going to happen with this property and that is not what is happening right now,” Vogeli said.
Councilmember Mary Fosse agreed with Vogeli saying that she feels the council was sidelined with the development decision for Waits Motel.
“It seems yet again we are involved in the decision but it is purely as a rubber stamp to something that the administration has already decided,” Fosse said.
Mayor Franklin said that she only recommends ideas for projects, but the vote ultimately comes down to the council.
“Let me be clear the decision is yours. All I can do is make recommendations, and I have been incredibly transparent to all of you as to what I was recommending for this project…regardless of what I recommend it’s always your decision, ”Franklin said.
This ordinance calls for the council to act as a quasi-judicial council, similar to a court.
Under the quasi-judicial rule councilmembers and Franklin can not discuss the project with the public or among themselves. Any discussion must be added to the public record.
The third and final reading for this ordinance will be Oct. 23. as well as a public hearing.
Multipurpose Facility
City of Everett staff gave a timeline on the proposed Outdoor Multipurpose Facility Project that could be the new home for the Aquasox under new Major League Baseball (MLB) requirements.
Since January a draft environmental impact statement (Draft EIS) was released for public comment. In a month a report with recommendations from the Financial Advisory Committee (FAC) will be presented to the council for funding options.
In November the final EIS will be issued and the council will review funding options and potential leasing partners for either the renovation of Funko Field or a new downtown site.
In December the council will be selecting a site to move forward with for the multipurpose facility. You can view initial comparisons between the renovated Funko Field and a new downtown facility here.
