City Council

City of Mount Vernon Joint City Council and Planning Commission Meeting Minutes July 31, 2024 Police Court Campus, 1805 Continental Place Mayor Donovan called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. Present Mayor Donovan Councilmembers: Brocksmith, Carias, Hudson, Molenaar, Tercero and Vander Stoep Commissioners: Burkhart, Carlson, Curry, Fikkert, Hardt, Johnson, and Orr Staff Present: Special Projects Manager Sexton, City Attorney Rogerson, Development Services Director Pratschner, and Permit Technician Freiberger Citizens: 10 1. Introduction to Otak, the City’s Consultant for the Comprehensive Plan Periodic Update: Ms. Pratschner gave a brief overview of the agenda and introduced the City’s consultant Otak. Otak was selected by a Committee comprised of staff; a Councilmember; and, a Planning Commissioner per an RFP process to update the Comprehensive Plan. The Principle and Senior Planner from Otak, Mandi Roberts and Emily Larson, were present. 2. Comprehensive Plan 2025: Requirements, Scope, and Schedule: Ms. Roberts said that the goal is to complete the periodic update by December 2025. Staff is currently working on initiating the planning process and drafting the Public Participation Plan. Council and the Planning Commission discussed what they would like to see addressed in this update. This includes: • Focus on individual neighborhoods as part of public input conversation. Development Services Committee July 31, 2024 Page 2 of 3 • Expand downtown Mount Vernon character and specificity to surrounding areas with housing in an urban village style. Don’t leave out west Mount Vernon. • Utilize the transit center for commuters to other urban areas • Equity study would be beneficial • Involve Mount Vernon organizations such as Strong Towns, the Downtown Association and the School District. • In-person engagement activities will have better results than online. Come up with ways to increase engagement, such as email invites. • Advertise the update at local events such as the Mount Vernon Fair. • Have ArcGIS interface at the new library, have someone trained to help. • Visit schools and engage student counsel and youth advisory boards to increase youth engagement. • Would like interaction with housing subconsultant Leland • Would like to have a retreat to discuss the Comprehensive Plan update in more detail. 3. Draft Public Participation Plan: Ms. Pratschner said Otak and Development Services Staff will work on a preparing a draft of the Public Participation Plan and scheduling a City Council retreat. 4. Update: Status of Proposed Updates to the Skagit County Wide Planning Policies (CWPPPs):Ms. Pratschner stated that the GMA Steering Committee has approved draft, updated CWPPs for review by the jurisdictions within Skagit County. The City will review the CWPPs through the Planning Commission and City Council. The Board of County Commissioners will likely vote on the CWPPs at the end of 2024. Council asked if there is state guidance on anti-displacement policies and if it should be incorporated into the CWPPPs. Stacie will bring to the TAC. Council would also like to see construction, utility & concrete in the greenhouse gas emissions discussion. 5. Update: North Star Technical Advisory Committee and Status of Regional Call to Action: North Star is a local public private partnership working on access to care and housing. The North Star Leadership Team recently approved a suite of proposed regulatory changes that all of the jurisdictions in Skagit County may consider, including reducing fees for affordable housing and reducing parking requirements. Mayor Donovan said that we’re working across jurisdictional lines to address behavioral health, housing, etc. The Call to Action is good, but it needs to be thought through. Council said that mixed-use development may be a way to Development Services Committee July 31, 2024 Page 3 of 3 address the tension between commercial and residential development and could look at allowing mixed-use development in the C-2 zone. ADJOURNMENT The Meeting adjourned at 7:21 pm. Submitted by: Danielle Freiberger, Permit Technician Approved August 14, 2024