Everett passes comprehensive plan update
Published 8:54 pm Friday, October 23, 2015
EVERETT — The Everett City Council passed its 10-year comprehensive plan update Wednesday, laying down the ground rules for growth and development for the next 20 years.
The passel of ordinances passed unanimously and with little fanfare, although there are still uncertainties about the direction Everett’s growth will take. The plan now figures the city will have a population of 165,000 people by 2035, but only if certain conditions are met.
The biggest unknown is whether a Sound Transit light rail expansion will win support of the voters next year. Having light rail come as far north as Everett Station or Everett Community College would help stimulate more growth.
Other uncertainties include whether the economy will be robust enough to support high-rise construction in downtown Everett, if the real estate market outside the city tightens up, and if more investments are made in transportation infrastructure north and east of Everett to support area workers.
If none of those factors comes to pass, or if they fall short of expectations, the city anticipates more modest growth in the next 20 years to about 143,000 residents.
