COMMENTARY: Lynnwood Needs More Places Worth Caring About
It’s easy to understand why so many people feel overwhelmed right now. The problems are large, constant, and impossible to ignore. Every day brings another crisis, delivered to our phones with all the subtlety of a fire alarm. Faced with that kind of scale, it is easy to freeze and wonder what meaningful change any […]
Lynnwood Council advances ordinance to streamline mobile food vendor permits
LYNNWOOD—Lynnwood City Council reviewed a draft ordinance that, if approved, would create a streamlined process for mobile food vendors operating in Lynnwood, in addition to passing three proclamations recognizing the National Day of Prayer, Older Americans Month, and Public Service Recognition Week, at its Business Meeting Monday, April 27. Mobile Food Vendor Permitting The main […]
Lynnwood City Council discusses potential Opportunity Zones near City Center for development incentive
LYNNWOOD— The Lynnwood City Council convened for a focused meeting about expanding the city’s participation in the federal Opportunity Zone program during its Business Meeting Monday, April 6. The meeting began with a brief round of council comments, where Councilwoman Derica Escamilla shared her recent experience at the Hero’s Café, Council member Bryce Owings shared […]
Lynnwood approves updates to UDC and addresses ongoing budget gap
LYNNWOOD—Lynnwood City Council moved forward with a slate of agenda items, unanimously approving updates to the city’s Unified Development Code, advancing plans for a new Youth Council, and taking key steps to address the city’s ongoing budget gap, during their Business Meeting Monday, March 23. During public comments, residents expressed concerns about funding the new […]
Lynnwood City Council to tackle zoning updates, budget gap at upcoming meetings
LYNNWOOD— The Lynnwood City Council is poised to take up a wide‑ranging agenda Monday, March 23, that includes zoning code updates, budget analysis and financial policy changes as city leaders seek to balance community priorities with fiscal realities amid ongoing population growth. The meeting, scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. in the City Hall Council […]
Lynnwood CC trains on insurance liability and discusses transportation projects
LYNNWOOD—The Lynnwood City Council attended a Washington Cities Insurance Authority (WCIA) training session and were briefed on upcoming major transportation projects at their Monday, March 16, Work Session. WCIA Training After council and Mayor’s comments (there were few), Ann Bennett, WCIA Executive Director, led a presentation and training session to council on the current […]
From Gray to Green: Janet Pope unveils Lynnwood’s new $570M City Center Vision
LYNNWOOD — The Lynnwood Public Facilities District (The District) unveiled an ambitious master plan Monday to revitalize City Center, proposing a $570 million redevelopment of 13 acres into a mixed-use destination featuring a hotel, workforce housing, retail spaces, childcare and lush public greenspaces. The project, presented by Executive Director Janet Pope to the City Council, […]
‘All are welcome,’ Councilwoman pushes immigrant safety in Lynnwood
LYNNWOOD—A proposed resolution before the Lynnwood City Council aims to clarify the city’s stance on federal immigration enforcement and outline steps to better inform residents of their constitutional rights. After concerns from Police Chief Cole Langdon about potential legal liability for officers, Councilwoman Isabel Mata amended the measure to remove language that would have directed […]
Councilman Jim Smith Celebration of Life, April 18
James “Jim” Smith, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, musician, entrepreneur, licensed pilot, and dedicated public servant who served the City of Lynnwood for 28 years on the City Council, passed away peacefully on January 15, 2026, at the age of 75, surrounded by his wife after a courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Born […]
Lynnwood terminates Flock Safety cameras due to trust and oversight issues
LYNNWOOD—The Lynnwood City Council voted unanimously on Monday, February 22, to terminate its contract with Flock Safety, scrapping a controversial network of automated license plate recognition cameras that had drawn months of fierce community backlash over privacy invasions and potential misuse for immigration enforcement. The Council’s decision was a swift reversal for a program once […]
