Marijuana Buffer Amendment

In December 2020, the city received an application for a citizen-initiated land use code amendment to LSMC 14.44.097 (Marijuana Facilities). The proposed amendment would reduce the required buffer between marijuana processing facilities and child care centers from the current 1,000 feet to 225 feet, so long as the distance between the two uses via public rights-of-way (streets, sidewalks or trails/paths) remains at least 1,000 feet. RCW 69.50.331(8)(b) gives local governments the option to reduce the required buffer to a minimum of 100 feet through adoption of a local ordinance. 

The Planning Commission held work sessions on the proposed amendment on January 6, January 20, and April 7, 2021, and the City Council held a work session on March 30, 2021. Based on feedback from those work sessions, staff has modified the proposed code amendment to include a 30,000 sf citywide limit on standalone marijuana processing facilities (there is currently no limit), which would expire on December 31, 2023 if not amended prior to that date. 

In compliance with the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA), the city has issued a Determination of Nonsignficance (DNS) for the proposal; public comments on the DNS will accepted through April 30, 2021. The SEPA checklist and DNS, notice of public hearing, and draft code amendments are included below for review.

The Planning Commission is scheduled to hold a public hearing on the proposed land use code amendment on May 5, 2021 at 6:00 pm via the Zoom Online platform. The meeting packet and Zoom link will be available on the Planning Commission Agenda page by April 29. 

For more information or to provide public comment, please contact David Levitan at dlevitan@lakestevenswa.gov.. 

Permissible Use Table Update

As commercial land uses continue to expand and the city explores ways to facilitate greater economic development, staff has been considering ways to simplify and improve the permissible use table in LSMC 14.40, which currently includes overly detailed uses and antiquated terminology that has required many code interpretations over the years. To view our current permissible use table, please see LSMC 14.40. Staff anticipates the overall process to take approximately 4-6 months, with potential code amendments coming to public hearing at Planning Commission in February/March 2021. This webpage will be updated as more details become available.

 For additional information on this project, please contact Jill Needham at 425-622-9428 or jneedham@lakestevenswa.gov.

Multi-family Tax Exemption

Washington State legislation, though RCW 84.14, offers a Multi-Family tax exemption program that cities can participate in through local ordinance adoption. The City of Lake Stevens with a population of over 15,000 is eligible to participate. The Lake Stevens City Council has expressed interest in participating in this program. The multi-family tax exemption (MFTE) is an incentive that cities can offer to developers to encourage the construction of market rate housing and affordable multifamily housing in predesignated targeted areas. On October 27, 2020 City Council adopted a Resolution to adopt Target Areas under RCW 84.14 and schedule a Public hearing to formally adopt the Target Areas and Multifamily Residential Tax Exemption Code by Ordinance. On November 24, 2020 City Council adopted Ordinance 1103 establishing a Multifamily Housing Tax Exemption Program. For additional information on this project, please contact Sabrina Harris at 425-622-9429 or sgassaway@lakestevenswa.gov.