In the heart of Everett, Washington, the city council meeting on May 7, 2025, became a platform for residents to voice their concerns about pressing neighborhood issues. As the evening unfolded, the air was thick with urgency and a desire for change, particularly from those living in the Port Gardner and Legion Park neighborhoods.

One resident, passionately advocating for community safety, proposed the establishment of an Oversight or Neighborhood Outreach Committee. This initiative aims to address ongoing grievances that residents feel are often overlooked by city officials. “We can’t feel safe in our own homes knowing that our community is not going to go through such a long process of recovery,” the speaker lamented, highlighting the distressing reality of violence and inadequate security measures in local facilities. The call for accountability resonated deeply, especially in light of recent tragedies linked to local housing providers.

As the meeting progressed, the focus shifted to proposed zoning changes that could significantly impact the character of the neighborhoods. Joan Newland, a long-time resident of North Everett, expressed her dismay over the city’s plans to rezone her area from single-family residential (R1) to a higher density designation (UR4). “Our neighborhood does not support the proposed zoning,” she asserted, emphasizing the limited access points and traffic hazards that already plague the community. Her concerns were echoed by fellow residents, including Mark Simpson, who warned that increased density would exacerbate safety issues, particularly for emergency vehicles navigating narrow streets.

Neil Anderson, another concerned resident, brought attention to the lingering environmental issues from the historic smelting operations in the area. He reminded the council that despite past cleanup efforts, contaminated soil remains a hidden threat beneath many homes, complicating any discussions about increased housing density. “Pockets of arsenic still exist,” he cautioned, urging the council to consider the health implications of their zoning decisions.

The meeting highlighted a growing tension between the city’s development goals and the residents’ desire for a safe, stable community. As voices rose in unison against the proposed changes, it became clear that the residents of Everett are not just passive observers in their city’s evolution; they are active participants, determined to protect their homes and neighborhoods from decisions they believe could lead to further decline.

As the council members listened, the future of Everett hung in the balance, with residents advocating for a more thoughtful approach to development—one that prioritizes community well-being over rapid growth. The discussions from this meeting will likely shape the city’s trajectory in the months to come, as the voices of its residents continue to echo through the halls of power.