Higher buildings debated
Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, October 19, 2004
EVERETT – The Everett Planning Commission is discussing whether to allow developers to add a few tiers to downtown Everett’s “wedding cake.”
To the dismay of some downtown residents, several business owners have asked the city to allow 150-foot high-rise buildings on Rucker Avenue, nearly doubling the current 80-foot limit.
The city’s “wedding cake effect” has meant that downtown Everett’s tallest buildings go at the city’s highest points, with shorter buildings down the hill, city planning director Allan Giffen said.
Changing the zoning to allow higher buildings could increase property values, but could also affect the view for some who lie downtown, Giffen said.
Some among more than two dozen people who attended Tuesday’s meeting applauded the idea and its potential for the continued revitalization of downtown Everett.
Business owner Howie Bargreen said in a capitalistic society, businessmen know best.
“It’s better to let the businessmen decide what’s economically feasible,” Bargreen said. “If you don’t want sprawl, you’d better go tall.”
Others were concerned about the aesthetic appeal. The Everett Mutual Tower at Colby and Everett avenues is about 140 feet high.
Valerie Steel, who lives on Grand Avenue, encouraged the commission to set some design standards for Rucker Avenue buildings because she worries the zoning changes will attract “big, ugly buildings built by the artistically absent.”
For Aileen Langhans, a downtown resident for 25 years, what’s at stake is the public’s share of the water view.
“The view belongs to everybody, not just the chosen few who can afford high rents in a high-rise,” she said.
Giffen presented two plans.
One would increase the building height on both sides of Rucker between Everett and Pacific avenues. The other would increase available building heights only on the east side of Rucker.
Skotdal Real Estate is planning two tall buildings on the east side of Rucker, one at the site of the Everett Elks Club and the other at a Hertz car rental lot, said Craig Skotdal, president of the company.
He said the company wants to create new apartments and condos for young professionals, empty nesters and active seniors.
“We see an opportunity to revive Rucker Avenue and make it a dynamic place to live,” he said.
Commissioner C.J. Ebert encouraged the board to widen its discussion to include the entire west side of downtown between Colby Avenue and Marine View Drive.
“There has been talk of extending the downtown corridor to Marine View Drive,” he said. “Maybe it’s about time to talk about that.”
Next, the city will notify residents and business owners in the area in question. It will also hold a workshop and a public hearing, neither of which have been scheduled yet.
Reporter Jennifer Warnick: 425-339-3429 or jwarnick@heraldnet.com.
