Planning Commission — Lynnwood, WA
Date: 2025-12-04

LYNNWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION - regular Planning
 Commission meeting
 Lynnwood City Hall Conference Room 4, and online via Zoom
 THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 11, 2025 6:30 PM



1. Call to Order - Roll Call

2. Land Acknowledgement

 We acknowledge that the City of Lynnwood is located on the traditional lands of the
 Snohomish Tribe and the confederation of Tulalip Tribes and their families. For
 generations, these Indigenous communities have lived on this land, and we recognize,
 support, and advocate alongside them.

 We also acknowledge the forced removal of Indigenous communities from their
 Homelands as a result of the 1855 Treaty of Point Elliott. We understand that Land
 Acknowledgements are only the first step in our efforts to support Coast Salish tribes
 and educate non-Natives about their lived history. We strive to achieve this through
 building relationships with Indigenous communities, supporting Indigenous commerce,
 government-to-government partnerships, and lifting indigenous voices to create equity
 for all.

 Through these actions, we hope to not only pay respect to the past but also collaborate
 in creating a sustainable future, hand in hand with the first protectors of our shared
 environment.

3. Approval of Minutes
 Minutes from August 14 will be provided in October for review.

4. Public Comments
 On matters not scheduled for a public hearing on tonight's agenda. Public hearing items have
 dedicated time for public comment.

5. Council Liaison Report

6. Public Hearings

 6.A Public Hearing: PFD Master Plan and Development Agreement - 30 minutes
 Ben Wolters, Development & Business Services Director, Sarah Cho, City
 Center Program Manager

7. Work Session Topics

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 1
 7.A 2025 Comprehensive Plan Amendment List (PAL) - 15 minutes
 Catherine Kato, Senior Planner

 7.B UDC: Miscellaneous Update - 15 minutes
 Zack Spencer, Planner

8. Other Business

9. Planning Manager’s Report
 A verbal report will be provided at the meeting.

10. Commissioner’s Comments

Adjournment
The public is invited to attend and participate in this public meeting. Parking and meeting rooms are accessible
to persons with disabilities. Upon reasonable notice to the City Clerk’s office (425) 670-5161, the City will make
reasonable effort to accommodate those who need special assist

Zoom Instructions
How the Meeting Will Work
Planning Commission meetings are held at Lynnwood Council Chambers and online through
Zoom in a hybrid format. The Lynnwood Planning Commission are the Panelists, and
Lynnwood residents and members of the public – as well as City staff or guest presenters –
are attendees. Webinar attendees do not interact with one another; they join in listen-only
mode, and the host can unmute one or more attendees as needed.

Meeting Links and Numbers
Please click this URL to join: https://lynnwoodwa.zoom.us/j/85942886063
Webinar ID: 859 4288 6063
Or join by phone: 253-215-8782

Written Public Comment:
Development & Business Services Department accepts public comments on behalf of the via
emails sent to planning@lynnwoodwa.gov. Staff representatives will provide the email to the
Planning Commission, and summarize the content verbally at the meeting.

Live Public Comment:
Members of the public are welcome to join the meeting in person or on the webinar as an
attendee. During the scheduled public comment, the Chairperson will ask those wishing to
speak to use the “Raise Hand” function and will be called upon. The host will unmute your mic
and you will have the ability to share your comment. Each speaker is allowed up to five (5)
minutes.




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 2

1 CITY OF LYNNWOOD
 2 PLANNING COMMISSION MINUTES
 3 September 11, 2025 Meeting
 4
 5
 6 Call to Order
 7
 8 The meeting was called to order by Chair Larsen at 6:30 p.m.
 9
10 Land Acknowledgement
11
12 Chair Larsen read the land acknowledgement.
13
14 Roll Call
15
 Commissioners Present: Staff Present:
 Robert Larsen, Chair Karl Almgren, Planning Manager
 Patrick Robinson, 1st Vice Chair Ben Wolters, Director Devt. & Bus. Svcs.
 Noel Baca Catherine Kato, Senior Planner
 Kelly Betts Sarah Cho, City Center Program Manager
 Matt Cail Zack Spencer, Planner
 Dorina Katro
 Other:
 Absent: George Hurst, Council Liaison
 Sue Phillips
16
17 Approval of Minutes
18
19 None
20
21 Public Comments
22
23 Elizabeth Lunsford, 98037, spoke in support of a providing a substantial public
24 play area for families at the new Public Facilities District development expansion.
25
26 Council Liaison Report
27
28 Councilmember Hurst had the following comments:
29 • He thanked everyone who made the Fair on 44th successful. It was a
30 really good crowd.
31 • Council’s next meetings will focus on how to deal with the budget deficit.
32
33 Public Hearing
34
35 1. PFD Master Plan and Development Agreement
36

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 1 Development and Business Services Director Wolters introduced this item. City
 2 Center Program Manager Cho reviewed the Lynnwood Public Facilities District
 3 (LPFD) Master Plan. This is a collaboration between the City and LPFD including
 4 public outreach to redevelop the aging 13-acre retail center to create a vibrant
 5 community hub in City Center. It is integrated into the City Center downtown plan
 6 and will focus on mixed-use development with housing, retail, hotel, green space,
 7 and expanded event center with outdoor event space. She gave an overview of
 8 the site plan noting that a new parking garage would be built to accommodate all
 9 of the growth. The event center would be expanded to approximately double the
10 size with an additional outdoor area.
11
12 The Development Agreement (DA) would allow the property owners (LPFD) and
13 the City to agree upon specific development regulations that will apply to the
14 development over the course of the DA term. She highlighted topics covered in
15 the DA including the term (15 years), allowable development capacity, building
16 heights, ground floor use, design standards, open space, parking, road
17 improvements, utilities, maintenance and noise mitigation.
18
19 The public hearing was opened at 7:04 p.m.
20
21 Public Hearing Comments:
22
23 Ted Hikel, 98036, reviewed some historical background on the area and
24 expressed concern about the area that would be impacted by the proposed
25 changes to the LPFD. He raised a concern about how the focus in Lynnwood has
26 shifted from simply planning to being more about development.
27
28 Frank Percival, Lynnwood PFD Board Member and Chamber of Commerce
29 CEO, spoke in support of the DA which represents a shared goal of redeveloping
30 an automobile-oriented city center into a walkable, livable, acceptable urban
31 center. He described the benefits of the proposed new space. They are proud to
32 support this agreement as a partner in transforming Lynnwood into a destination
33 city.
34
35 Ted Hikel (again) expressed concern about the potential huge impact of overflow
36 parking onto neighborhood streets for special events and the lack of clarity about
37 the number of special events to be expected. He requested more detailed
38 information about parking, building heights, and setbacks from single family
39 neighborhoods. He cautioned against setting a precedent with this DA. He
40 presented a petition (attached) with approximately 21 neighbors opposed to the
41 way this is being handled.
42
43 The public hearing was closed at 7:21 p.m.
44
45 Commission Discussion:
46


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 1 Commissioner Betts asked if the design of the Ring Road would be brought back
 2 to the Planning Commission. Director Wolters said they could bring it back for
 3 information purposes, but the City Council is the body that would be approving it.
 4
 5 Commissioner Katro asked how the calculation was done for the estimated cost
 6 of the Ring Road project. Director Wolters explained it was based on the cost of
 7 similar projects and applied on a linear square foot basis. Staff is currently
 8 working with the LPFD on a financing agreement and phasing of design of the
 9 Ring Road. The City Engineer anticipates that the cost could fall below or above
10 the estimated $18 million. Commissioner Katro asked about the backup plan if
11 the cost goes above $18 million. Director Wolters explained that the City and the
12 PFD would look at a number of different options for how to proceed. Construction
13 would not commence until financing is fully adopted and in place.
14
15 Chair Larsen asked about the potential for doing a shuttle from the light rail
16 parking area for large events. Director Wolters replied that the LPFD and the City
17 are aware of concerns about impacts to neighborhoods and have the intention of
18 broadening the circle where off-site parking could occur for special events based
19 on opportunities for the PFD to enter into parking agreements with private
20 property owners. The intent is not to have the events meet parking needs by
21 parking in residential areas but rather to have the PFD arrange for parking in
22 commercial lots. This would be a requirement of the City related to special event
23 permits. The PFD has agreed that no large events that would require parking
24 beyond what they can provide would occur unless they meet the City’s
25 requirements for a special event permit. He suggested the possibility of providing
26 free residential parking stickers to limit neighborhood parking to residents. He
27 discussed how this worked in Kent with the ShoWare Center.
28
29 Commissioner Katro asked about potential traffic impacts related to the
30 development. Director Wolters explained there would be a parking control plan
31 and traffic control plan for special events. The traffic from the overall
32 development fits within the City Center Pan for mitigating traffic and growth.
33 Planning Manager Almgren explained how potential impacts were reviewed by
34 the City of Lynnwood and private consultants as part of a planned action EIS.
35 The City was in discussions with the PFD at the time and was able to incorporate
36 their modeling into the overall model for usage to ensure that Lynnwood’s
37 roadways continue to move. The redevelopment of the site has been considered
38 as part of the city center planning efforts and has been incorporated in many of
39 the previous traffic analysis points.
40
41 Chair Larsen asked for confirmation that city staff and administration have been
42 actively involved in this plan throughout the process. Director Wolters confirmed
43 that it has been a very deliberate, complex, and exciting plan to realize the City’s
44 vision for City Center. Chair Larsen noted that the Convention Center has proven
45 itself to be a very valuable asset to the City and this asset seems very much
46 warranted in terms of the immense positive effect it’s going to have on finances


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 1 for the City and for the public. He thinks staff has done a good job of navigating
 2 the challenges of accommodating additional growth.
 3
 4 First Vice Chair Robinson asked about the intended use of the parking garage.
 5 Director Wolters explained it is primarily intended to be used for the events at the
 6 event center. The facility would be able to host an outdoor event for 1000 to 2000
 7 people. A portion of the parking will also be provided for the residential and retail.
 8 The hotel would have its own parking to serve hotel guests.
 9
10 Motion made by Commissioner Betts, seconded by Commissioner Cail, to move
11 forward with the Development Agreement. Motion passed unanimously.
12
13 Work Session
14
15 1. 2025 Comprehensive Plan Amendment List (PAL)
16
17 Senior Planner Catherine Kato reviewed some background on this item, the
18 docket process, and the 2025 Comprehensive Plan Proposed Amendment List
19 (PAL). The two docket items include: 1) 2025 Miscellaneous Amendments, and
20 2) Annual Updates to Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) and Transportation
21 Improvement Program (TIP). She reviewed next steps and the expected
22 schedule for adoption.
23
24 2. UDC: Miscellaneous Update
25
26 Planner Zack Spencer highlighted proposed amendments which are mostly
27 minor changes for clarity.
28
29 Commissioner Betts expressed concern about removing the requirement for bike
30 parking for senior housing. She noted that bike parking might be even more
31 valuable for people on fixed incomes. She feels it goes against some of the past
32 efforts to include all ages and abilities in the bike community. Planning Manager
33 Almgren explained some of the challenges with the way the parking requirements
34 are currently written. They want to provide a level of flexibility on a project basis.
35 He offered to provide more clarity on this.
36
37 Other Business
38
39 None
40
41 Planning Manager’s Report
42
43 Planning Manager Almgren had the following comments:
44 • He reiterated the plan to generally have just one Planning Commission
45 meeting a month.
46 • He highlighted some exciting items on upcoming Council meetings.

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 1 • He expressed the impacts from
 2
 3 Commissioners' Comments
 4 • Commissioner Cail asked if any of the upcoming capital improvement
 5 projects might be delayed or pushed out in light of budget challenges.
 6 Planning Manager Almgren explained that capital improvement projects
 7 are in a separate pot of money with different revenue streams. The City is
 8 mainly challenged right now with general fund revenues from things like
 9 sales tax, property tax, private fees, fines and forfeitures. Director Wolters
10 added that capital projects are facing budget challenges but that is more
11 from the aggressive inflation in construction that has been plaguing the
12 region for the last 10 years.
13
14 Adjournment
15
16 The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 p.m.
17
18
19
20 __________________________
21 Robert Larsen, Chair




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