By Lauren McGowan, Alvaro Guillen and Bobby Thompson / Herald Forum
Everett is approaching one of the most important decisions in its recent history.
On June 18, the City Council will vote on its updated comprehensive plan. This plan sets the vision for how Everett will grow and change over the next two decades. It will shape everything from housing and land use to economic opportunity and neighborhood stability.
As leaders of organizations deeply invested in this city’s future, we have spent years working alongside community members, public partners and local leaders to build a more inclusive Everett. We believe in a future where everyone, regardless of income, background or ZIP code, has access to safe, stable, affordable housing and a real chance to thrive.
That is why we have supported the inclusionary zoning proposal developed as part of the comprehensive plan. This proposal, shaped through extensive community engagement, would require a modest portion of new housing developments to be set aside for working families who are increasingly priced out of the city they call home.
Inclusionary zoning is a simple but powerful tool. It is a commitment that as Everett grows, it grows in a way that includes everyone. It is one way to ensure that families who live here now can still live here tomorrow, and that future generations will have the same chance.
Removing this policy from the final draft is more than a technical change. It disregards the time, energy, and lived experience that community members brought to this process. It sends a message that affordability and anti-displacement strategies are negotiable, even when the stakes are this high.
We know that no single policy will solve Everett’s housing challenges. But this one matters. And the decision to keep or remove it will send a signal about what kind of city Everett wants to be.
We are proud to stand with 32 partners who appealed to the city’s Planning Commission and City Council to include this policy in the plan. We are working every day to ensure Everett is a place of opportunity for longtime residents, new arrivals and future generations. That means building homes, creating pathways to good jobs, and protecting what makes our neighborhoods strong.
This comprehensive plan is about more than numbers and zoning codes. It is about values. It is about trust. And it is about building a city that works for everyone.
We urge the Everett City Council to maintain inclusionary zoning to the final plan. Let’s meet this moment with the leadership it deserves and build an Everett where everyone belongs.
Lauren McGowan is executive director of Local Initiatives Support Corporation Puget Sound. Alvaro Guillen is director of Connect Casino Road. Bobby Thompson is director of Housing Consortium of Everett and Snohomish County.
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