[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6475481,"mediaKeyId","5733839-fb43117a7a1dd4f8cb2ff14bb6f43590","parentId",5733839,"title","Lynnwood holds public hearing on proposed retail cannabis rules; council to deliberate Sept. 22","audioSeconds",3425,"startMs",2241000,"endMs",5666000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5733839-fb43117a7a1dd4f8cb2ff14bb6f43590&start=2241&end=5666","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5733839-fb43117a7a1dd4f8cb2ff14bb6f43590/thumbnail_2241000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6475481/Lynnwood/Snohomish-County/Washington/Lynnwood-holds-public-hearing-on-proposed-retail-cannabis-rules-council-to-deliberate-Sept-22","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475481-16f81668355ef73cd1e61b1f845527c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440025&Signature=JweJPsWsF9hmNgUOqx5cNy1Vy5jCqtYHuYX6DHwkXNFi-fTCKGr4Yx1YiK3Mz49w03oGkX383uwJ06p846NCgsccUrLwW4jUkyE32Xr38JrXpN-DvFYKVCywnBxHuWutFxQIr28WvcmHJbRsWhYiTg6RjJQmsZHxKmLxGJJD1lSk6l0hfA1rZM33JACtqoWgNmWb9IlD~C4atDlQO2IfPUQ6GRqbLaGoaiMS3aMPCx0uIataFqzAQlZ7u48kt-DQtius0u7K62vtZM9qD2UAYoDdY9RAl93cG-VdngxBor1bKQEyECFJLWbL2J9LZ1jNbmvnmg~2zthM9XphVFBrjQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lynnwood","date","2025-09-08T00:00:00Z","article","City staff and the Planning Commission outlined a draft ordinance Sept. 8 that would lift Lynnwood’s ban on retail cannabis in specified commercial zones and set local buffer rules, and the City Council took public testimony before closing the hearing and scheduling ordinance consideration for Sept. 22.

The presentation by planning staff said the Planning Commission recommends permitting retail cannabis in Alderwood City Center, Planned Commercial Development, General Commercial and Highway 99 Mixed Use zones. The draft keeps a 1,000‑foot exclusion from primary and secondary schools and proposes a reduced 300‑foot buffer for a second tier of “restricted entities” (down from a previously discussed 1,000 feet), while the council previously debated allowing a 100‑foot buffer for some uses. Staff clarified that the 1,000‑foot buffer for playgrounds applies to future playgrounds that are part of an adopted capital facilities plan or a site‑specific council action; it does not prevent an existing playground from remaining if a retailer locates nearby.

Why it matters: the question before council is where licensed cannabis retailers can operate as light rail and other redevelopment reshape the city’s commercial districts. Proponents said local permitting will capture tax revenue and reduce illicit market activity; opponents urged extra limits to protect young people and neighborhoods.

Public testimony was split. Opponents cited mental‑health and youth‑safety research and neighborhood impacts:

- Eman Lohraspi, federal and state policy associate with Smart Approaches to Marijuana, told the council, “If this council were to allow retail marijuana in Lynnwood, the beneficiaries would be the massive corporations that profit from addiction and abuse,” and cited studies she said link retail access and youth use.

- Resident Ted Heichel urged the council to consider how proposed retail locations abut housing on 30th Avenue West and other residential areas, arguing the draft maps do not protect existing homes and asking the council to reconsider eligible parcels.

- Several other residents, including Galen Baton and Isabel Mata, described personal or family experiences they said showed higher‑potency, commercial cannabis presents addiction and mental‑health risks for young people.

Supporters and industry representatives urged a measured zoning approach that preserves safety while allowing local oversight:

- Josh Estes, representing two of the city’s four allocated retail title certificate holders, asked the council to “reduce restricted entity buffers back to 100 feet” (except where state law requires 1,000 feet), and recommended a 1,000‑foot retailer‑to‑retailer separation and a four‑store cap during an initial review period.

- Caitlin Ryan, executive director of the Cannabis Alliance, urged the council to lift the ban to capture local tax revenue and to move customers from the illicit market into regulated stores.

Staff and police data: staff referenced a 2019 Everett Police Department report supplied in the packet that showed no clear correlation between licensed retailers and increased calls for service compared with alcohol establishments; staff and Police Chief Langdon told council there was no policing correlation that raised immediate concern. Staff also reminded council that the ordinance before them is limited to retail cannabis zoning; it does not change other city laws such as outdoor‑use rules.

Next steps: the council closed the public hearing and directed staff to return with clarifications and any proposed amendments. Councilmembers asked clarifying questions about which parks and planned playgrounds are covered (Village Green at Northline Village and Town Square Park were specifically noted) and about how buffers would affect specific parcels. The council will consider amendments and potential adoption at its Sept. 22 meeting.

Ending: Staff said materials and packet reports already in the record will be augmented with the requested clarifications and maps ahead of the Sept. 22 consideration.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lynnwood - City Council Business Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","City staff and the Planning Commission outlined a draft ordinance Sept. 8 that would lift Lynnwood’s ban on retail cannabis in specified commercial zones and set local buffer rules, and the City Council took public testimony before closing the hearing and scheduling ordinance consideration for Sept. 22.","taxTitle","Lynnwood, Snohomish County, Washington","taxId",58431,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6475473,"Lynnwood amends residency rules for elected officials; council adopts ordinance with changes",736,6784000,7520000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5733839-fb43117a7a1dd4f8cb2ff14bb6f43590&start=6784&end=7520","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5733839-fb43117a7a1dd4f8cb2ff14bb6f43590/thumbnail_6784000.jpg","/articles/6475473/Lynnwood/Snohomish-County/Washington/Lynnwood-amends-residency-rules-for-elected-officials-council-adopts-ordinance-with-changes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475473-ae55f6ce67baf641d0f163d0872268ba/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440025&Signature=mtpElqb3peCUG95DwzjnLVUrv2Jek6WoGUeD63TPiHZOBGJtWD7AHdxvPgNmJiM0jpFpZK-DRCDQ7S6APjpTrOzIGvjZCQbkdoo32lutK4Ekiy1A95h8nJInzfMMGFR55MZ2Q-lEKjZQm7YIoAU1SjA9-VJfSRaoSB9UbpeMtjl1lNLuxoB7btXHikyXnpvuGVCkI-eqVYR-QcyLF9bvRq9ypTcgwxIc1lF9Rs4AoI76FBh-0aopeoNwbWTuEEF5db-UOAldegsJ29~-qoP0LKinpXg1BPH5mw71UVufLCe5I10qAyKgJkqhBQBtbqd9FYg-s37MiVCeaujVT1N5fg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lynnwood City Council on Sept. 8 adopted Ordinance 3487, amending LMC 2.04.06 on qualifications to hold elected city office. The final ordinance, adopted unanimously, requires annual confirmation of residency and allows for limited temporary non‑residency with an affidavit; councilmembers also amended the draft during debate to replace a 60‑day allowance with 120 days and to add the word “paid” to a clause about holding another publicly elective office.

Key provisions: the ordinance, as adopted, keeps an annual affidavit requirement that councilmembers confirm they resided within Lynnwood city limits for the prior year, and permits a hardship/temporary non‑residency affidavit in narrowly defined circumstances. Council amended the draft to change the earlier language that had limited temporary non‑residency to “not to exceed 60 days in total” to a 120‑day limit. Council member Coelho successfully offered a technical amendment to insert the word “paid” before “publicly elective office” for clarity.

Debate and enforceability: the council spent substantial time debating whether the ordinance’s residency and vacancy language would be enforceable without court action. City legal counsel explained that an ordinance can state the qualifications and consequences, but if a sitting councilmember refuses to resign or accept a determination of non‑residency, enforcement would require judicial action. Councilmember Patrick Decker argued the ordinance and its “vacate/ resign” language set clear expectations: “I think it’s quite reasonable that if any council member ceases to reside within city limits, the council member shall vacate their position immediately.” Councilmember Escamilla said she was open to striking provisions that would appear to be unenforceable without litigation, adding that a court process would be required to compel removal.

Amendments and votes: an amendment to replace 60 days with 120 days passed on a unanimous roll call (7‑0). A separate motion to strike language that would direct immediate vacancy (lines 38–41 in the draft) failed (2‑5). A final roll‑call vote to adopt Ordinance 3487, as amended, passed 7‑0.

Why it matters: the ordinance clarifies expectations for residency among elected officials, establishes an annual attestation and a narrow hardship process, and signals the council’s intent to maintain local residency as a qualification while acknowledging practical limits to immediate enforcement.

Ending: staff will publish the ordinance summary and implement the affidavit process; councilmembers and staff discussed potential future clean‑ups of language to address timing and notice procedures.","The council adopted Ordinance 3487 to amend qualifications to hold city elective office, requiring an annual residency affidavit, allowing hardship affidavits, and increasing a temporary non‑residency window from 60 to 120 days after debate on enforceability and vacancy language.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6475477,"Lynnwood annexes Edmonds School District's Old Alderwood Middle School property",561,5904000,6465000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5733839-fb43117a7a1dd4f8cb2ff14bb6f43590&start=5904&end=6465","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5733839-fb43117a7a1dd4f8cb2ff14bb6f43590/thumbnail_5904000.jpg","/articles/6475477/Lynnwood/Snohomish-County/Washington/Lynnwood-annexes-Edmonds-School-Districts-Old-Alderwood-Middle-School-property","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6475477-49e557a00ec46779104ae5aa74ed44c6/orig.mp4?Expires=1770440025&Signature=LgA3GwarBuOKwM5jg~T-K4zln6RI8~~70JTa-qIFyiFANbkZ849vSMhnKZyRvZVc2qShCvPiBVMF3j~WK8FzYvreFXuhKZJWMIsbn2W2LsfnUvvphWl3rGBsRXcwEtO6adL0IG94YfV1f7CV-ezaHwwP1UKY6CsY0ATW9GJRuEuqUThbHpng7KxHrK4VWR5UBAPThztOelWQflpF8xl-PD8BFFJs0Ppt6uj23AOe2Z5~8SuLOp2JtnoSgwOgEYRH1TPVGg70dZXNf5uBtxgxdFr97AIQcPzevNI85GfFFbhnWqr63pbl0~1TUTxdO1cPhN6UJnBTnyAXolCYl8D7Sw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lynnwood City Council voted unanimously Sept. 8 to adopt Ordinance 3488 annexing the Edmonds School District property commonly known in staff materials as the Old Alderwood Middle School site.

Staff said the annexation is limited to the school district’s parcel and is small when compared with the broader municipal urban growth area that the city may consider in future annexation actions. State law allows a school district to petition for annexation only of its own property; that constraint is why the petition covers only the district site.

The council’s action designates the annexed property as Public Institutional (P‑I) on the city’s comprehensive plan future land use map and ensures the property will be assessed and taxed on the same basis as other property in Lynnwood. Staff told the council the site had been pre‑zoned for public institutional use and that annexation will help the district proceed with redevelopment permits. Staff also said public‑right‑of‑way maintenance, utility ownership and fire protection will remain with their current providers where applicable: Alderwood Water/Wastewater District for water mains; Snohomish County for certain road segments that remain in the county’s jurisdiction; and regional fire service will continue under existing arrangements. Police and code‑enforcement services will be provided by Lynnwood Police Department after annexation; staff said expected incremental calls for service fall within current capacity.

Why it matters: annexation brings a school site under Lynnwood’s land‑use and permitting jurisdiction and signals coordination among city staff, the school district and Snohomish County as the district seeks to rebuild the middle school.

Vote and procedure: Councilmember [name not specified in motion text] moved adoption of Ordinance 3488 and the motion was seconded. The roll‑call vote was 7‑0 in favor. Staff noted the annexation had been noticed and reviewed under the city’s procedures and is consistent with prior resolutions and the comprehensive plan. The ordinance cites the petition and references RCW provisions governing annexation.

Ending: The ordinance takes effect following required summary publication and staff will process the district’s permit submissions under Lynnwood codes.","The City Council voted 7–0 to adopt Ordinance 3488 to annex the Edmonds School District property known as Old Alderwood Middle School; the property will be designated Public Institutional and the annexation is intended to support the district's redevelopment and permitting.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Lynnwood holds public hearing on proposed retail cannabis rules; council to deliberate Sept. 22

Lynnwood amends residency rules for elected officials; council adopts ordinance with changes

Lynnwood annexes Edmonds School District's Old Alderwood Middle School property