Planning Commission — Lynnwood, WA
Date: 2026-04-16

LYNNWOOD PLANNING COMMISSION - regular Planning
 Commission meeting
 In Person: 19100 44th Ave West, Lynnwood
 Online: https://lynnwoodwa.zoom.us/j/84066765168
 THURSDAY, JANUARY 8, 2026 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

 3.A Minutes - December 11, 2025 - 0 minutes
 Karl Almgren, AICP, Community Planning Manager

4. Public Comments

 Members of the public may make comments to the Planning Commission for up to five
 (5) minutes on matters related to the Planning Commission


5. Council Liaison Report

6. Other Business


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 6.A Election of Officers - 15 minutes
 Karl Almgren, AICP, Community Planning Manager

7. Work Session Topics

 7.A 2025 Planning Commission Schedule and Workplan - 15 minutes
 Karl Almgren, AICP, Community Planning Manager

 7.B Multi-Family Tax Exemption (MFTE) Updates - 45 minutes
 Sarah Cho, City Center Program Manager

 7.C
 Briefing: Unified Development Code Update 2

 - 20 minutes
 Karl Almgren, AICP, Community Planning Manager, and Zack Spencer, Planner

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

9. 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/84066765168
Webinar ID: 840 6676 5168
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 January 8, 2026 Meeting
 4
 5 *Audio recording of the meeting failed and was unrecoverable*
 6
 7 1. Call to Order
 8
 9 The meeting was called to order by Chair Larsen at 6:30 p.m.
10
11 2. Land Acknowledgement
12
13 Chair Larsen read the land acknowledgement.
14
15 Roll Call
16
 Commissioners Present: Staff Present:
 Robert Larsen, Chair Karl Almgren, Planning Manager
 Patrick Robinson, 1st Vice Chair Zack Spencer, Planner
 Matt Cail, 2nd Vice Chair Sarah Cho, City Center Program Manager
 Noel Baca
 Dorina Katro
 Kelly Betts

 Absent: Other:
 Sue Phillips (excused) None

17
18 3. Approval of Minutes
19
20 • December 12, 2025 Meeting Minutes
21
22 Motion made by Commissioner Baca, seconded by Commissioner Katro, to
23 approve the minutes. Motion passed (6-0).
24
25 4. Public Comments
26
27 Public comments were invited; there were none.
28
29 5. Council Liaison Report
30
31 None
32
33 6. Other Business
34
35 6a. Election of Officers.

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 Page 1 of 3
 1 Community Planning Manager Almgren identified that the Planning Commission
 2 annually elects a Chairperson, 1st Vice-Chair, and 2nd Vice-Chair.
 3
 4 Commissioner Katro nominated Commissioner Larsen, seconded by
 5 Commissioner Robinson. Commissioner Larsen accepted the nomination. Motion
 6 carried 6-0.
 7
 8 Commissioner Robinson nominated himself for 1st Vice-Chair. Motion carried 6-0.
 9
10 Commissioner Cail nominated himself for 2nd Vice-Chair. Motion carried 6-0.
11
12 New Planning Commission Officers:
13 Chairperson: Commissioner Larsen
14 1st Vice Chair: Commissioner Robinson
15 2nd Vice Chair: Commissioner Cail
16
17 7. Work Session Topics
18
19 7.a 2026 Planning Commission Schedule and Workplan
20
21 Community Planning Manager Karl Almgren discussed the 2026 Planning
22 Commission Workplan including prioritizing meeting topics to the 2nd Thursday/1st
23 meeting of the month and potentially cancelling the 4th Thursday/2nd meeting of
24 the month. Commissioner Cail suggested also hearing more about the Sound
25 Transit Everett Link Extension including a walking tour of the light rail station.
26
27 7b. Multi-Family Tax Exemption (MFTE) Updates
28
29 City Center Program Manager Sarah Cho provided a presentation on the
30 Lynnwood Multi-Unit (Family) Housing Property Tax Exemption (MFTE) program.
31 MFTE is a property tax waiver program enacted by cities and counties to support
32 local housing goals. Ms. Cho discussed that the Lynnwood Housing Action Plan
33 identified the need to review the program as part of one of the strategies. The
34 current program offers an 8-year and 12-year program. Since Lynnwood’s
35 adoption, Washington State now enables local jurisdictions to adopt addition
36 programs and extensions. Additionally, HB1491 will require Lynnwood to make
37 revisions to the MFTE program by December 31, 2029.
38
39 Commissioner Cail requested additional information on benchmarks of the goals
40 for output of housing types. Mr. Almgren identified he will follow up.
41 Commissioner Cail also identified the difference between a 99-year commitment
42 and a 50-year commitment which staff responded to was considered a typical
43 ‘building life’ of a project.
44




 01/08/2026 Planning Commission Meeting
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 1 Commissioner Katro requested additional information between the relationship of
 2 land values to the ownership opportunities and asked clarification regarding the
 3 differences through the tax levy. Ms. Cho provided clarification.
 4 Commissioner Baca sought clarification on possible impacts on year 21 for
 5 compliance for projects enrolled in the 20-year program.
 6
 7 Commissioner Betts asked clarification for areas outside of the residential target
 8 area (RTA).
 9
10 Commissioner Robinson discussed the importance of the Housing Action Plan
11 related to ownership opportunities including support for the 20-year and the
12 viability of the program being used for project sites of at least 50-units.
13
14 Commissioner Katro also identified opportunities associated for ownerships
15 consistent with townhome developments.
16
17 Commissioner Larsen identified that many policies and regulations include a
18 decision point to wait or go.
19
20 Commissioner Baca discussed removal of the 8-year program.
21
22 Commissioner Robinson identified the overlap of the 20-year TOD program with
23 other priorities. Sarah added the importance of the Tax Increment Finance (TIF)
24 relationship to the City Center implementation.
25
26 7c. Unified Development Code Update 2
27 Planner Zack Spencer provided the Planning Commission a walk through of
28 additional revisions to the Unified Development Code including clarification on
29 building setbacks, building heights in City Center and other changes.
30
31 8. Planning Manager’s Report Briefing:
32 Community Planning Manager Almgren provided a report on the relocation of
33 DBS to City Hall, a compliment from an applicant, and discussed that 2026 will
34 be a year focused on housing construction/permitting including with state
35 legislation starting on January 12, 2026.
36
37 9. Commissioners' Comments
38
39 None
40
41 Adjournment
42
43 The meeting was adjourned at 8:02 p.m.
44
45 __________________________
46 Robert Larsen, Chair


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