Vote Delayed on Waterfront Rezoning Proposal
MUKILTEO. A decision regarding a potential zoning change for a waterfront parcel has been postponed by the Mukilteo City Council. Following a unanimous vote during a Monday session, the council deferred action on the matter until October 5 to permit further deliberation.
The property in question, designated as Lot 5 in municipal records, currently carries an open space classification. Spanning just over an acre, the site overlooks the water and is presently used as a park, characterized by gravel ground cover and scattered seating.
City administrators have proposed amending the zoning designation to Waterfront Mixed Use. This alteration is part of a broader update to the city’s comprehensive plan and would facilitate potential commercial development. Currently, the land is restricted primarily to recreational use. Changing the designation would allow for the establishment of retail outlets, dining establishments, or cafes.
The request follows a March council approval to investigate leasing possibilities for the site. Municipal officials state that while a rezoning would permit development, it does not mandate it, nor does it finalize the site's usage. The council retains authority over any specific development proposals.
"Open space is allowed in both zones. Should you go forward with this rezone, it doesn't mean the property has to be changed from a park," said Sarah Kress, Mukilteo's senior planner, during the meeting. "It means you are opening up the opportunity for it to change to something else in the future."
The site is part of a larger revitalization initiative aimed at creating a unified, walkable destination for commerce and tourism, including a waterfront promenade. Historically, the area housed a U.S. Air Force fuel storage tank farm until its decommissioning in 1990. Following years of environmental remediation, the Air Force transferred much of the land to the Port of Everett in 2013. The port subsequently transferred portions of the property to Mukilteo in 2016. However, a decade later, significant portions of that planned development have yet to materialize.
Opinion within the community remains divided regarding the proposed change. Supporters argue that commercial activity would draw more visitors to the area. Conversely, opponents advocate for preserving the current open space designation to maintain the site as a park, noting that a 2016 waterfront master plan designated this specific location for park use.
A Mukilteo resident expressed concerns regarding construction density during the meeting. "There has already been too many buildings built and too much concrete covering areas of the city's waterfront," said Kate Forrester, arguing against further development.
Critics at a recent city council meeting questioned the necessity of specific development plans for a waterfront parcel in Mukilteo, arguing that preserving open areas, water views, and basic walking and cycling infrastructure was sufficient. One speaker expressed frustration with what they described as a recurring pattern of complicating the natural setting of the area.
Ashvin Sanghvi, addressing the council, proposed an alternative vision for the property that prioritized commercial activity, including a year-round promenade. He suggested that incorporating cafes and other businesses would enhance the public experience, particularly during inclement weather. Sanghvi contrasted the potential comfort of sitting indoors while viewing the water with the current state of the site, which he characterized as underutilized despite its scenic qualities.
In response, Kress explained that any construction on the site must adhere to both municipal codes and state shoreline access mandates. She noted that the city is maintaining a 20-foot-wide strip of land between Lot 5 and the shoreline to accommodate the planned promenade, a space intended for joint use by the city and the port.