ASK THE PLANNER
The following articles are reprinted from past editions of the City Newsletter.

Question:  What exciting things will the Planning Commission be working on this year?

Answer:  On an annual basis, the Planning Commission identifies goals to be accomplished. Below are brief descriptions of some of the key projects that have been identified for completion in 2007

SUBAREA PLANNING
Lake Stevens Downtown Subarea Plan:  In the process of developing a master plan for the Grade Road Planned Business District, the City received a lot of citizen input on how the existing downtown district should be redeveloped. In addition, a recent attempt to lay out a downtown plan was successful in garnering public opinion about what the town center should include. The Subarea Plan will focus on analyzing certain key factors such as land use mixture (residential/retail/professional), development intensity, parking, pedestrian and car-oriented uses, public improvements related to waterfront and park use, and economic development opportunities. The Planning Commission will hold workshops and hearings to solicit further citizen input and participation as it moves forward in developing a Subarea Plan for the Downtown.

CODE UPDATES
Critical Areas Regulations:  As required by State law, City staff drafted an update and amendment of the Lake Stevens land use regulations related to critical areas such as wetlands, streams, geologically hazardous areas, and fish and wildlife conservation areas. The draft Critical Areas Regulations (CAR) were released for review in January 2007. The Planning Commission will hold workshops and provide opportunities for public comment in March 2007.

Land Use Code (Title 14) Update:  City staff will be working with the Planning Commission to set up a stakeholder committee and solicit public input on an overall update of the Land Use Code to streamline the code and make it more user-friendly.

Cottage Housing:  The City’s Land Use Code does not currently have regulations that address cottage-style housing. City staff will be working with the Planning Commission to discuss various design alternatives, review and analyze the pros and cons of recently-constructed cottage housing in the Seattle area, and put together draft regulations and design standards for public review and discussion.

2007 COMPREHENSIVE PLAN AMENDMENTS
Washington State Law allows a city to amend its Comprehensive Plan no more than once each year. Staff is currently compiling a list of potential amendments, which will be reviewed by both Planning Commission and City Council within the next few months. Adoption of any amendments will be completed by the end of the year.

DESIGN GUIDELINES
Residential:  City staff and the Planning Commission will be seeking citizen participation in the development of design review guidelines that address residential development. Some of the elements that will be discussed are streetscape and landscape design, neighborhood character, design of open space, and building architectural design and exterior finish materials.

ANNEXATION PROGRAM
Eastlake Annexation:  The annexation area is approximately 438 acres located between the east side of the lake and the City’s easterly UGA boundary, bounded on the north by the City and bounded on the south by Machias Cutoff. An estimated 1,300 residents live within the proposed annexation area. Planning Commission will participate in review and public discussion related to this proposed annexation.

Additional Question and Answers