LYNNWOOD—The Lynnwood City Council at its Business Meeting on June 23, unanimously adopted its Unified Development Code (UDC), which updated and consolidated building development, regulations, and boosts density but excludes a fire sprinkler mandate due to housing affordability concerns. The council also adopted the City Center + Alderwood Subarea Plan, updated the City’s Emergency Operations Center address, and approved the 2025 Comprehensive Plan amendments to guide growth.
Ordinance: Unified Development Code
The council unanimously adopted, Ordinance 3481, to adopt a Unified Development Code (UDC), a comprehensive ordinance that consolidates and updates the Lynnwood’s development regulations, replacing outdated titles (18, 19, and 21) and amending others (e.g., Chapter 1.35, 3.104, 5.30) to streamline processes and align with state mandates.
However, the council rejected the Development and Business Services’ recommendation to adopt the UDC at this time, a mandate for fire sprinklers in all new residential constructions, including single-family homes, middle housing, and accessory dwelling units (ADUs) citing concerns over increased housing costs of several thousands of dollars.
“We really respect South County Fire. We respect our Planning staff here in the city of Lynnwood. On the other hand, the housing affordability crisis presents its own safety concerns that we have to think about,” said Councilman David Parshall adding, “We want there to be enough homes for everybody in Lynnwood because safety really starts with a roof over your head. It’s extremely important. It’s maybe the most important thing.”
The proposed fire sprinkler regulations, above the existing Title IX requirement, aims to enhance safety amid Lynnwood’s planned increase in housing density. Deputy Fire Marshal Alex Jenness outlined that the proposal required sprinklers in all new residential constructions, aligning with standards in Edmonds and Mountlake Terrace for buildings of 3,000 square feet or larger, and addressing other scenarios like expansions to 5,000 square feet or structures on steep access roads.
Planning Manager Karl Almgren emphasized the urgency, citing a December 2024 fire fatality in a 2003-built home.
“As we look at creating more units around some of these existing structures and densifying, the concerns of containment and fire spread to adjacent structures, that’s our primary concern,” Almgren stated.
Councilmember Patrick Decker expressed reservations exclusion of the sprinkler mandate yet voted in favor of the Unified Development Code.
“We have heard over and over from one of the stewards of safety for this community, our fire department, that fire sprinklers save lives,” Councilman Decker said, adding, “I know that as a parent, if I had the choice of spending, whether it’s $6,000 or $10,000 in my home, and I chose not to, and then there was a fire that hurt one of the individuals in my family, I would never be able to live with myself.”
Decker also expressed concerns about reduced parking requirements and environmental impacts of the new codes, such as the loss of green spaces to densification.
The UDC simplifies regulations, consolidating setback rules and reducing parking requirements per state law to lower costs, and adopts a units-per-lot density model, exceeding state requirements to clarify housing capacity for developers.
“This will provide the ability for us to meet and be consistent with the comprehensive plan and housing action plan regarding our need for market rate housing,” Almgren said.
Councilman Parshall moved to approve the ordinance but explicitly excluded Chapter 9.18, the fire sprinkler amendment, opting for Alternative 3 from the council packet, that was seconded by Councilman Robert Leutwyler and passed unanimously, 7-0.
“Our staff has worked on this for a couple of years, putting all of this together, the number of times reaching out to community, being at all of the summer events,” Mayor Christine Frizzell said thanking her staff adding, “This is an amazing achievement, and it’s been led well and performed well. Kudos to all of our DBS crew.”
Ordinance Amendment: LMC 7.20.080 Emergency Operations Center
LMC 7.20.080 previously designated the city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) at Fire Station 15, located at 18800 44th Avenue West, Lynnwood, WA 98036. In May 2024, the Lynnwood Community Justice Center opened and now houses the city’s EOC. The new EOC location is 19321 44th Avenue West, Lynnwood, WA 98036.
The council voted unanimously to amend the physical address of the city’s Emergency Operations Center to that of the Lynnwood Community Justice Center.
Ordinance: City Center + Alderwood Subarea Plan
The council voted unanimously to adopt Ordinance 3482, City Center + Alderwood Subarea Plan. Councilman Decker motioned to approve the ordinance that was seconded by Councilman Parshall.
The City Center + Alderwood (CC+A) Subarea Plan outlines a framework for development in Lynnwood’s central area, addressing regional and local changes. Over the next 20 years, the area is expected to see two light rail stations, new housing, and job growth, positioning it as a key part of the city. The plan seeks to connect the City Center and Alderwood areas, support the Everett Link Light Rail Extension, and create opportunities for employment and residential development.
The plan aligns with the Puget Sound Regional Council’s (PSRC) VISION 2050 and Regional Centers Framework, designating the CC+A Subarea as the Lynnwood Regional Growth Center (RGC), one of 30 RGCs in the region. Classified as an RGC-Urban, it is among other center types, including RGC-Metro, Manufacturing Industrial Center (MIC)-Growth, and MIC-Employment. The Lynnwood RGC, designated in 1995, serves as a location for significant business, government, and cultural activities.
The CC+A Subarea Plan builds on prior efforts, including the 1993 Lynnwood Legacy: Making the Vision a Reality and the 2007 City Center Subarea Plan, and incorporates goals from the Imagine Lynnwood Comprehensive Plan (2025) to guide development.
The plan is structured into eight chapters:
- Introduction and Background
- Vision, Goals, and Policies
- Demographics, Land Use, Zoning, and Housing
- Community Design and Aesthetics
- Natural Environment, Parks, and Open Space
- Community Vitality and Economic Development
- Multimodal Transportation
- Utilities and Services
The CC+A Subarea Plan provides a structured approach to managing growth and development in Lynnwood’s central area, supporting its role in the region.
2025 Comprehensive Plan Annual Amendment Process
Councilman Decker made the motion, that was seconded by Councilman Parshall and approved unanimously by the council to approve the 2025 Proposed Amendment List (PAL) to include the following projects: CPL 2025 Miscellaneous Amendments and the Annual Updates to Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP).
The CPL 2025 Miscellaneous Amendments was submitted by the Community Planning Division to address minor updates to the Comprehensive Plan, including an update to the Annual Demographics Cutsheet, minor text corrections for grammar and data accuracy, incorporation of any approved annexations, and the addition of the City Center + Alderwood (CC+A) Subarea Plan that was approved during Monday’s meeting.
For City Council consideration in Fall 2025, specific text amendments that are not expected to impact the Lynnwood Municipal Code, are currently being developed to will align with the Growth Management Act (GMA) and the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
The Annual Updates to Capital Facilities Plan (CFP) and Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) amendment, submitted by the Public Works Department, updates the 2027-2032 CFP and TIP, which are incorporated into the Comprehensive Plan. The updates include revisions to the narrative, project list, project descriptions, and project costs. The revised CFP/TIP is being drafted for review in Q3 2025 for adoption in Q4 2025 to align with the GMA and the Comprehensive Plan requirements.
OTHER BUSINESS
- Planning Commission Applicant Dorina Katro approved unanimously
- Planning Commission Applicant Noel Baca approved unanimously
- The vote to create a Lynnwood Youth Council was tabled by Councilwoman Derica Escamilla for July 14, 2025.
Author: Mario Lotmore
