ASK THE PLANNER - ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

Question:  I am interested in getting involved in planning issues. Are there any City committees on which I can volunteer my time? Are special knowledge or skills required to participate?

Answer:  There are two citizen boards appointed by the Mayor which address planning issues, the Planning Commission and the Park Board. The City seeks applications toward the end of each year to fill positions for terms expiring at the end of the year. If you are interested, you can obtain an application from City Hall. If positions become available during the year, the City will advertise in the Lake Stevens Journal for interested persons to submit applications. Recognizing that the community extends beyond the corporate limits of the City, the City Council allows for as many as three members of each board to be residents of the unincorporated Lake Stevens Urban Growth Area.

The Planning Commission is a seven member board that meets once a month, with additional meetings scheduled on an as-needed basis. The Commission advises the City Council on a variety of issues, primarily policy-related such as revisions and updates to the City’s Comprehensive Plan, Land Use Code, and Critical Areas Regulations. The Planning Commission works closely with members of the community to obtain valuable feedback during these policy updates.

The Park Board is made up of seven members and meets on a monthly basis. The Board advises City Council of park and recreation issues such as park acquisition opportunities, park planning and design, and park usage matters. The Park Board works closely with City staff to coordinate with community groups and citizens who seek out park-related improvement and maintenance volunteer opportunities.  

No special expertise is required to participate on either board. Whether you are a long-time City of Lake Stevens resident, a newly-annexed resident, or a resident within the City’s Urban Growth Area, your positive attitude, willingness to share your thoughts and concerns about both short and long-term goals for the City, and your ability to work through issues in a team setting would be a welcome addition. Even if there are currently no vacancies on either Board, both the Planning Commission and Park Board frequently have committee/task force opportunities available for citizens to participate in. Check the Lake Stevens Journal and the City’s website for the latest opportunities!

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Question:  I’ve received notices of public hearings on development projects, but the hearings were held during the day. I, like most City residents, work during the day and find it difficult to attend daytime meetings at the City. Why aren’t these meetings held in the evenings?

Answer:  Good news! The majority of City meetings and hearings are now held in the evenings. The City Council’s regular meetings are at 7:00 p.m. on the first and third Monday of each month. City Council workshops are held at 7:00 p.m. on the second and fourth Monday of each month. The Planning Commission meets at 7:00 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month, and the Park Board meets at 6:30 p.m. on the fourth Wednesday of each month.

We do still occasionally have some meetings and hearings during the day. For those who may be unable to attend, we encourage submittal of written comments in advance so that the comments may be included in the decision-making process.

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Question:  I’m thinking about developing or subdividing my property but don’t know how to get started or if it is even feasible. How can I find out? Should I hire a surveyor, engineer or architect?

Answer:  You can contact City Permit Center Staff at 425-377-3235 for answers to questions related to zoning, permitted land uses, building setbacks and other basics. Depending on the type of property development you have in mind, you will mostly likely need to hire a professional to assist with your proposal.

You are strongly encouraged to submit a Pre-Application Review request prior to submitting an actual application. This preliminary review gives the City a chance to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your proposal.  Requesting this review early can save you time, money and stress by allowing the City to identify potential issues with the proposal.  To submit a Pre-Application Review packet, contact the Permit Specialist at 425-377-3235.

The Planning Department website has links to the City’s Land Use Code (Title 14), application forms and informational brochures.  Go to www.ci.lake-stevens.wa.us and follow the links to the Planning Department. Please note that City Staff is currently updating many of the application forms and informational brochures to reflect revised requirements and land use fees; please verify  submittal requirements and fees with City Permit Center Staff prior to actual application submittal.