Listed below are the unabridged comments received through the March 16-May 15, 2020 Online Community Survey. A summary of the online survey is available here.
1. The station areas should be safe and appealing. Look at examples in the Washington, D.C. Metro station vicinities (both in the district and suburbs) for practical, livable developments that followed the stations. But also understand that Snohomish County is still very car-centric and the stations should be able to serve both an immediate community and people who travel from further distances to connect to light rail.
2. Address rising homelessness Make safer streets Provide modalities to get to destinations from lite rail stations. Hospital accessibility Maintenance of landscape (overgrown bushes at 35th ave and 132nd intersection, and along Seattle Hill Road)
3. Huge parking structures, with car parking, bike lockers, and EV charging, next to rail and rapid bus stops. People with varied physical abilities have to be able to get to public transportation during all kinds of weather. Not everyone lives within walking/biking distance.
4. Parking garage for commuters as we know many will drive to the rail station as bus service does not serve most areas off the main roads. Or too many connections just to get there.
5. I dont expect to be alive at this time, but already the extreme traffic in this area causes me to not want to travel to or through this area. With the increase in population in 30 years, public transportation--and means to get to it-- HAS to be at the forefront.
6. Please stay in budgets and keep it safe and green with parks and trees, plants and bike lanes etc
7. I think it will be important to build affordable housing and multi housing apartments close to future light rail stations, in addition to safe pathways for people walking and biking to safely access the stations. Where possible, provide adequate parking spaces for people who must access the light rail station by car. I will probably bike or walk to my future light rail station because I'll be 1-2 miles away. I'd like to see these sub areas redeveloped into transit hubs, filled with multi-unit housing, small retail, and walk able areas that have tree coverage and public art to enjoy.
8. Prioritize adequate low-income housing, ability to get around without a car, clean air and water, environmental impact, access to parks and open space for all residents of the blue oval
9. We need to plan for plentiful housing options affordable at all income levels, with walkable access to transit, shops, services, and schools. In order to reduce our reliance on cars and save the planet from climate change, equitable transit oriented development is imperative.
10. Make sure there are trees along streets!! These improve the ambience of an area in also make it so much more pleasing to walk or bicycle through. When prioritizing apartment buildings near transit hubs, make sure they are all affordable housing with units ranging from 30% AMI to 80% AMI within the same building. Ensure that these buildings have resident services staff (social workers, nurses, or other staff) to assist residents having a tough time. Make sure there is enough parking for people who want to take the light rail to downtown seattle, and please do not institute paid parking. This is a killer for people who take public transit because it's cheaper (and safer) than driving and parking in downtown. Instead of individual bicycle lockers that are currently at park n ride locations, consider instead having an underground bicycle storage room that is staffed 24/7. You have to pay $1 to store your bike there, and the attendant attaches a claim tag to your bike. When you return later to claim it, the attendant has to match your receipt with the claim tag. This is how it's done in Japan at many major train stations and it's great!
11. I think we need more local community places to be without traveling too far. We need more walkability and more access to small/medium sized shops. I would like to see the government allow more density and more running trails.
12. The 128th St SW area (and really, the entire planning area) needs improvements to be more pedestrian-friendly and entice people to use other modes of travel. Traffic needs to be slowed down, lights need to be timed to favor pedestrians, we need more tree cover (including landscaped medians), and neighborhood businesses, offices, and new multifamily housing should be oriented toward the sidewalk with parking in the rear and fewer driveways. It is difficult to feel safe as a pedestrian or bike rider when you are crossing or walking along a 7-lane road with vehicles traveling at 35+ MPH. All of the existing development in this area is built with drivers in mind, with pedestrians as afterthoughts.
13. Aging population: please make sure you understand not everyone can walk, and ride bikes. 2nd: please provide safe walking with sidewalks for those who can walk
14. I think combined retail residential areas should be a priority. Or perhaps making residential homes safely walkable (within 10 min) to retail. Prioritize ideas that minimizes the necessity of a car and areas that encourage unstructured recreation.
15. I very excited about getting access to public transit through rail lines and having safe places to ride a bike
16. If there will be light rail parking needs to be considered. There must be enough. Walking in this area isn’t easy due to lack of sidewalks in many areas.
17. Airport Park should have more complex play equipment for middle school-age children, such as a dome with ropes, swings for older children, perhaps a climbing wall. I would love to walk or ride a bicycle on Larch, but having no sidewalks north of 164th makes it too dangerous.
18. We need more public parks for recreation, and safe ways to travel to them without cars.
19. Please, please plan in more park and trail space and separate bike lanes to get places safely!
20. We need more green space and walking areas as well as a light rail.
21. Please make the area safer and more accessible for public transportation. I would use it more frequently if I could safely access it. We need more walkways and bike routes, as well as routes to access public transport. The area is growing FAST and will only continue to do so. Please make it easier to access public transport rather than increase car traffic.
22. Please look at the Dutch systems and the German systems. They combine a variety of transportation methods I a brilliant way. We also need predestination walkways between buses and trains when making connections
23. Plan as if no one had a car, because many (hopefully) won't.
24. More crossings over I-5. Connecting the Interurban Trail to the existing streets and new neighborhoods as a zero-emissions corridor for short journeys on foot or biking.
25. There needs to be more overpasses (both for vehicles and pedestrians) over I-5! The few roads that cross the freeway are already super congested. Growth in this area will make roads essentially impassable. The Interurban trail should have its own freeway overpass so pedestrians and bicyclists do not have to compete with cars. That will make the trail MUCH safer and more enjoyable. The current use of the Maple road bridge is terrible and extremely dangerous. There's no bike lane over that narrow bridge and the sidewalk is not wide enough for a wheelchair!
26. Please consider that the traffic on 164th and Meadow is awful. I live on Meadow and drive it nearly everyday. It can take up to 3 cycles to turn left into Meadow coming from the 5. If they put a train station right near there, how are people going to get through that signal? Even if they ride their bike, the interurban trail there crosses 164 at that same signal ! It's extremely unsafe now, adding a train will make it more so. I would love for my kids to be able to take the train into Seattle. But they may never be able to get to the train if traffic is so backed up that it's not worth their time.
27. Traveling by car across the the freeway overpasses is very slow during rush hour. This needs to be addressed. Also, the area west of I-5 on 128th needs to be cleaned up. It can be scary to walk along the corridor.
28. Reduce traffic!! It get backed up at the lights (especially 164th and Ash way). It becomes dangerous.
29. There should be good connectivity between transit areas and neighborhoods, this will not only reduce cars in road but will also help with parking issue at transit centers. It will also help environment as well due to less vehicles on road and will also increase safety on road for everyone. We need to design a end-to-end solution for resolve full issue not just part of it. Some people will be able to live without even vehicles, will help poor, young adults, old people, people with disabilities etc.
30. Safety of our roads is critical as this area grows as the roads are already overwhelmed and unsafe.
31. Sidewalks and street trees are pretty important 🏡🏡 32. I don't see anything happening for the elderly? We need to take care of them. What about the trees?
33. I believe we must build dense moderately priced housing but development must be required to make the communities livable. There must be tree canopy and enough green barrier between building and major roadways especially I-5. Developers should be required to provide environmental benefits to the community just like they are with sidewalks, fire hydrants, etc.
34. Please keep the height of buildings as low as possible, and please keep/plant as many native trees and plants as possible. We still need nature.
35. I live next to Mariner High School. It’s important to me that it not become an area with tall 10+ story buildings. I love that there are little pockets of trees with ducks and frogs. It’s important to me that we keep as much greenery as possible. Also, improve sidewalks and safety of walking to public transit areas.
36. For mass transit to work there must be sufficient free no cost parking spots so people can get on the train or bus. Regarding urban density, there must be ample tree cover including large growth trees and mixed use buildings with ground floor retail, upper level residential to create a pleasant, walkable neighborhood feel.
37. Reduce traffic, green solutions to address climate crisis, increase housing, places for wildlife & trees.
38. It would be great to have less cars on the road. As it is now, it is very difficult to breath the car exhaust on 164th. Also, I have noticed that the leaves of my trees become black by late summer.
39. Yes, please don't destroy all the trees, and please do not replace my condo with rich people housing. I am 57 years old and I live in a condo. You cannot pay me enough for my condo that will allow me to continue living in this state, and I really do not want to move.
40. Combination of retail on ground floor levels and condos or apartments on upper floors along major arterial roadways. Better private housing for retirees/seniors with easy access to transit and retail. 41. The county should limit growth until infrastructure is there. That means roads, parks, schools etc. The area is already so overpopulated that the quality of life has decreased so much in the past 20 years that I have lived here. It is disheartening and I am already planning to leave this area as soon as I can. It used to be such a beautiful place. Now it is just overgrown with huge apartment complexes and over population without supporting schools or parks or any infrastructure. Having 2 lane roads such as Filbert to try to handle the traffic is ludicrous. Adding 600 apartments at Alderwood Mall-ludicrous! It’s all about the money. So sad to see all the natural areas and trees sacrificed for greedy developers.
42. The need to use private automobiles should be minimized, which will reduce the amount of land needed to for parking. Tree cover, pedestrian trails, and green spaces should be maximized. Mixed use communities should be emphasized. Within each community the price range of housing should be mixed. Low-cost housing should not be concentrated in one area.
43. This is the area to encourage higher densities, with the services, retail and open spaces needed for that to work.
44. Please upzone and build dense housing around the station with the right amenities (paths to schools, grocery / restaurants / retail), and prioritize walking and biking over single-occupant driver use.
45. Focus on maintaining good property values and the rest will follow. What maintains good property values? Higher end housing, whether it is single family homes or multi-unit dwellings. These provide a good property tax base for all the other desirable attributes of the neighborhood: good schools, safe streets, a green belt, excellent public amenities, such as libraries, stadiums, etc.
46. I have no problem with the existence of high rise apartment buildings as long as they are placed along areas such as freeways and major routes such as sections of Hwy 99 where they don't overshadow lower rise buildings. I am more concerned with affordability. (I'm retired & in 2050 I'll be 104, if I'm still here.)
47. High density at stations and descending density radiating outward - think Burnaby or Surrey in the greater Vancouver area.
48. Must consider the "overcrowding of rats" study from the 50's. Look at the mistakes of Chicago public housing & the compare to The Bronx in NY. Kids/teens need space and don't only plan for the rich. And don't forget folks from Meadowdale/Mukilteo will be using this also, need access for the hub to serve all?
49. Ensure that a stop is at Paine Field. Follow seattles ADU AADU regulations to help with small home owners and retires.
50. Please don't change the area too much. You have a lot of low income people in this area and we need that type of housing around here. Your plan for Mariner Station is disastrous. When I went to the meeting, they said they would tear down the Albertson's plaza. I suggested that would create a food desert in the area. They suggested that Whole foods or a grocery like it would go in. Are you guys for real? Have you even looked at the area? Also placing the station up where Taco Bell is an awful idea. So we have to walk up hill to catch the light rail? Keep it at Mariner Park and Ride. Also I don't know if you geniuses realize this but across the street from Mariner is a retaining pond. Your plans show an office building going in there.
51. Walkability is an important part of the equation but there MUST be more consideration to people who use a car/motorcycle as part of their commute. The survey notes how neighborhoods change with the introduction of the lightrail; my experience with this is that is that there was zero parking except at the airport and downtown stations (ie, the worst places in any city to find parking). This coupled with the surge in housing costs to live anywhere close to the light rail line meant that it was only practical for users that can afford to live close to the stations; rather than users that come from neighborhoods with less transit coverage or folks coming from suburb/rural areas. It might also stop the residential areas from being slammed with parked cars from commuters. 52. Ensure safety!!! No gangs or graffiti. Be very careful with section 8 or low income housing. We do not need that.
53. There needs to be buses that funnel people from neighborhoods to light rail stations. Otherwise people need parking. There also needs to be high, not medium density housing within walking distance of stations and sometimes major bus routes.
54. Traffic in this area is really bad, and family homes are sadly being bought out by apartment complexes that make this area less desirable to live in.
55. Stop permitting so many apartments, the roads can’t handle the traffic. There ate lofty dreams for mass transit, until it arrives slow the building down!
56. I would prefer that all streets were upgraded to have sidewalks. 2. It would be great to have a little coffee shop or cafe in the park.
57. Cars and single family homes are not good for the future of cities. Walkability and access to daily needs will be essential. First level retail is a great way to go, along with a community square mind set- give spaces for people to be and build community.
58. Walkability and access to public transportation, not just light rail but bus trails that connect to light rail, safe neighbourhood, encouragement of small business similar to other communities in the Seattle area
59. Ideally communities should have easy walking to local parks & small retail like France had in their cities in the early 60’s.
60. Build green, consideration for environment, design communities with access to mixed housing, retail, transportation; amenities like libraries and community centers.
61. Keep the residential areas residential. You are also negatively affecting the wildlife In the area. This isn’t even a city municipality it’s a unincorporated area you are turning into a city. Slow down and safe nature!!!
62. Tree lined streets, preserved green belts. The county should prioritize building family friendly communities.
63. Snohomish County is well-loved for its open spaces and scenic places. Light rail has the possibility of connecting us to all of those -- or -- alternatively bogging down choke-points further (both areas qualify for that now) and creating concrete jungles and mountains. Let's plan in such a way that the next generation can breathe fresh air, have tree-filled open spaces and walk and bike safely without fear and without light- and noise-pollution. Utopic? Perhaps. Yet good leadership finds the ways to make this happen. You can do it if you so choose.
64. Im really excited for the future of this area. I think dense housing with retail and access to green space with trees will help, a central gathering spot and connection to bike trails would be great too.
65. First is that the PEOPLE are important and overcrowding is dangerous. And too many people to a building leaves one not knowing who does or does not belong there. Elderly or handicapped need access and none of the options for housing seemed to be rambler style. If power goes out or in case of tire elevators are useless. Overcrowding of rats study shows violence increases if people do not have free space or access to nature. The Hwy 99 Shoreline layout and others currently copying that are disgusting and will do nothing to increase health of the community as a whole, physical or mental. Every modern building seems to have a life-span which means they will be vulnerable to decay within a short span and landlords will get rich until they become slum lords. This whole concept is sickening and maybe the work from home will move more people back to less crowded regions. Hopefully. Schools and activities for teens need to be addresses seriously before more land is destroyed in these "modernizations. Microsoft may not need a huge campus ... etc. 66. 29 townhomes going in on my street. Only one parking sport per home. No street parking. Makes me worry about my frontage. I think more single family homes west of 99 on 164th should be maintained. People still cherish personal yards.
67. So far this so called development of the light rail neighborhoods has ruined neighborhoods example shoreline and all the people that were displaced. Still don't understand why we are destroying trees homes spending billions of dollars on land when all we had to do was put a lid on top of the freeway that's already bought and paid for!
68. Cancel light rail and provide more park & ride space and express buses. Much more economical. Provide more police and safety. Add more roads and discourage more population.
69. Safe and clean green space and parks. Diversified businesses and housing options (non homogeneous)
70. The introduction of a universal basic income, guaranteed healthcare, housing, and food, and the phasing in of internet access as a public utility rather than a commodity as we move into an increasingly digital world. As far as things we could do that are county-specific, the internet thing and the housing are most likely what with all the extremely empty houses and apartments that could be used to keep people off the streets, which would keep many people off the streets and prevent overpopulating the jails and violator housing units. Attempting to introduce more financially viable opportunities to either work from home or closer to home and limit the strain we all put on our highways would also go a long way as it would allow more monetary velocity. The money saved on gas and insurance would go toward other expenses because as we know, the standard person spends more often than they save, and that money could go toward so many different things! Sure, people would still need to drive places, but the point is to incentivize them to use their personal transportation as little as possible. If they can't reasonably access their workplace in a timely manner regardless of which transportation method is available, what's the point? They already had zero reason to support the project and now thanks to the wording in the levy, everyone's tabs have gone up hundreds of dollars in cost. Without concessions, these people are going to do anything and everything in their power to keep stonewalling progress. Sorry, that was probably too much, somewhat nonsensical, and not at all relevant, but you asked for additional input.
71. Fares affordability, safe and well lit areas, free concerts in the park, access to senior activities
72. Public transit needs to serve multiple parts of the community. That means there need to be great scheduling and easy access, so that those who are carless can get to and from work and the rest of their life easily. There also needs to be easy, safe parking for those choosing to add public transit to their commute options. Sign and systems need to be great and easy for the beginner or someone new to the community to understand (and multilingual). The buildings need to look and feel alive, with plants incorporated. The spaces need to be based in permaculture principles (green, self sustaining, low energy use). At the stations people need services, including small retail, some food, a way to find and call for help if they need it (wireless phone charging!), a quick clinic, a produce stand (filled with the amazing produce of Snohomish county). Public transit's works best for everyone when it helps your life, versus creating more problems in your life. I could go on and on.
73. The new construction goes through a process of permits. For some reason these permits always state that the number of new cars that will occupy the roads has no impact. I have lived here since 2004 and in that time, all these new apartments, tall 3 story homes, etc has created a nightmare at both area A and B (128th and 164th) intersections. Every day between 4 and 6 pm it may take you 10-20 minutes to get from the west side of I-5 to the east side of I-5. You wait through multiple lights (4-5 lights at the same intersection) to get through. So someone in our county planning department needs to stop allowing this false permitting of more cars deeming them no impact. Unless the county is willing to add more lanes to the main drives such as Ash Way, Madison, and Manor Way, they need to stop allowing more and more people to cram into the area. Someone is day dreaming when they say there is no impact.
74. Less street lights or have them programmed together to better flow the traffic. Remove stores like walmart 75. No more apartments without traffic accommodations!
76. The current road infrastructure CANNOT handle more population growth. Roads need to be widened and redesigned. Toll lanes on the freeway have only made it worse. Traffic is horrific, and it continues to get worse. Simply because of traffic, we go out far less than we want to, because it's not worth it. I hate that traffic is the biggest factor in my decision whether or not to be social or go out and do things I want to do. Also, please bring more restaurants to the area!! It's been improving, but we need more good restaurants - not more dentist offices, chiropractors, physical therapy, and the like.
77. Stop adding apartment buildings in SE Everett. There are too many people trying to get on/off the freeway during rush hour. Too much traffic overall. Single family homes ONLY!
78. Minimize high density housing construction. Stop expansion of ST3 and eliminate the taxes to support it.
79. I'm really excited to see this area grow! However, the wait seems very long. I'm hoping small steps in this direction can happen well before the light rail arrives (or, raise my taxes and use them speed up light rail and these changes! That would be ideal, if possible!)
80. It has to be easy to access and think about the rain when designing.
81. Get a bond and get this thing done. Site Mariner station at 128th using existing right of ways
82. The 2 most important things are putting in sidewalks to make walking safer for everyone and parking for the new light rails.
83. Sidewalks on Larch way - many accidents have killed or severely injured those walking. More parking at ash way park and ride. Improved neighborhood safety.... increased crime makes us think to sell our house and move to a different area. :(
84. Dont get rid of all of the trees. And please consider that if you build MASSIVE apartment communities, parking needs to be available and so do elevators for handicapped and MOVING. The price of housing is far too high and families need to be able to afford what you build. Also take into consideration that crime tends to tick up in cramped neighborhoods too. I'll be elderly by the time you get around to all of this, but I'd like my children and grandchildren to be able to SEE the landscape and not be blocked by massive tall buildings. This isn't Japan or China or the middle of Seattle, let's keep it that way.
85. I hope funding can be put towards things such as rail development and public art, and less focus on making things such as parking garages. More parking is not the solution, the money should go towards the actual transit.
86. Lived in Japan 20+ years. Rail is a MUST! Yay!!! Yay for orange route! But going to need a LOT more parking at transit centers.
87. Consider 'first and last mile' transit. That is, how to get people from their houses to the transit center. Possibly the biggest reason that people have difficulty with existing transit is that they have no good option for getting from their homes to the transit center. Parking is expensive, but building adequate parking or networked local transit for the light rail station will be necessary if it is to be utilized.
88. Until BRT is expanded, people will *NEED* to drive to light rail stops. Please plan ahead for adequate parking. Lack of parking disincentivizes people to use transit.
89. Because of how spread out this area is and the amount of people moving to the area, roads and bridges first need to be expanded/widened to make more lanes for traffic to flow. Traffic on 164th St. near I-5 is always gridlocked during rush hour and on the weekends. Fix the roads for population growth first before you build the stations and build more housing in these areas. Vertical parking structures must be built at the stations, the park and ride lots are a joke right now for commuters. I would not use light rail to commute as my job is in SODO, but my husband does to get to downtown Seattle, but parking at the park and ride is the problem, not enough space and fills up by 6:45-7:00am daily.
90. The most important consideration for me is that currently this area is very congested with car traffic, esp. in the late afternoons. Light rail will bring more cars to the area. We need to have places for the cars connecting with light rail to have places to park and for cars to get through the area without the substantial delays we currently experience.
91. i work in the a mariner area. getting across the 128th street bridge is a nightmare from 4pm-730pm every weekday. also, going southbound on 4th Ave W and 128th street intersection, to go through (forwards) you have to be in the far right lane, then as soon as you get through, you have to move over into the left lane to be able to get past the storage complex on 134th st sw. Iidk who designed this but its weird. in terms of future planning, it appears more and mroe people are going to be priced out of living in the immediate seattle/bellevue area but will still be working there. this means that mass transit like light rail is probably a good idea. has any thought been put to the place where all these people are going to park when they board the rail to get to work? are parking garages going to be utilized?
92. Traffic on 164th is already a nightmare! If higher density housing is added then the road needs more lanes. Not everyone will be lucky enough to get to use public transportation to get to work every day, depending on where they work and live. Also, please make sure to include abundant parking at the stations. If there isn't enough parking, some people won't even see light rail as an option for commuting. Lots of people will have to drive to the station (for instance if they have children they have to drop off at daycare or school on their way to work).
93. Traffic and parking. Not enough parking at Ash Way
94. If high-density housing is built, parking and traffic need to be heavily considered. 164th street is already jammed during rush hour with the amount of people here now, so solutions as more people move to the area need to be devised.
95. Roads need to be widened to have more lanes and further construction should be supported by roads. There is too much traffic on 164 th and Bothell-Everett Highway and all roads are choking during peak hours. You should build more arterials to connect to freeway, more transit service, double or triple parking spaces like on Ashway park and ride or by Bothell exit 126 Canyon Park area. If you have better transit, people need space to park their vehicle or have sufficient neighborhoods bus service to get to park and ride without driving.
96. I wish our area around the Alderwood Water District water towers (35th & 153rd St SW 98087) would be incorporated by City of Lynnwood. We need sidewalks and we have a terrible fireworks problem when the Seahawks play, July 4th, etc. There are also problems across the street at the North Sound RV park. We need a neighborhood park north of 164th for all the kids and families living in apartments and condos along 35th between 164th and 148th.
97. Parks, trees, and walkability are critical!
98. In the future I want to see more places to walk with buildings connected by pedestrian walks, more trails and green areas and public exercise spaces in parks with access to swimming pools and recreation areas. Less cars on the road and electric public transportation, especially closer to neighborhoods in the suburbs.
99. Preserve Urban Forests and Open Space to protect quality of life!
100. Green: an abundance of different trees, not a monoculture and add a variety of housing styles - not a soul- crushing sameness. Plus open spaces, community connections, pkaygriunds!
101. encourage higher density housing and retail near transit hubs. Increase open space and parks for outdoor use. (1) Important that the development is of a higher standard and design than the current development the County has been approving. (2) The County needs to have parks in this area with the higher density development which are easy to access. This can be a combination of trails, a central gathering area, and necklace of parks. Sport fields would take up too much land and should be located outside the transit station areas. I am surprised there were no questions about schools and the location of schools.
102. I think the only long-term solution involves a mix of high-rise housing and public green space and exercise facilities.
103. Future impact of pandemic on planning for public space.
104. Walkability, public art and tree coverage should be the top design elements.
105. The most important things to me personally as a member of the Snohomish county community for years is elevated concern and action to protect any natural lands in the area, trees, Martha lake, etc that is seated in the proposed subarea need to be maintained during construction and future use. As well, as a public artist in the area I would be delighted to see the future consequence of such a project push forward culture and public arts in Snohomish.
106. Why not have each transit station go to a mall; a place with commerce and large parking already available? Also, why not partner with all the local school districts and allow children to make tiles - a piece of art, and have those tiles installed at the transit stations as public art? It is important to have art at the stations - representing the Pacific Northwest, times gone by, re imagined decades from nior to goth to art-deco. Now is the chance to make something not only vital for commerce and the movement of people, but also to attract to Snohomish County - a great county, with great people. Further, tourism increases with ease of movement.
107. Self driving electric cars will be the norm many years before an archaic and inflexible rail system is built and integrated into a "light rail community." CV-19 is going to result in a major shift from centralized city-based work offices to a decentralized work-at-home culture, eliminating the need for high capacity transit to high density office communities. It is time to start re-prioritizing how hard-earned funds are allocated and spent.
108. Safe walk-able community
109. When we bought our property in 2011, we had no idea this was going to happen. We are not a fan of the new growth and plan on leaving the area in the next few years. It is already extremely busy and over crowded. Roads are packed and out road ya now a speedway. And there is more building taking place and NO infrastructure. I cannot even go out for a walk because this raid is so dangerous! The whole area is dangerous due to drug activity, homeless encampments, speeding cars, etc.
110. I think that walkability and convince of public transportation of the future county will be the most important thing to consider.
111. Priority should be easy and safe access from neighborhoods (either by walking or public transit) to light rail stations.
112. We’re going to need to really protect our green spaces and increase transit!
113. It is important for the County to maximize the benefit of the station areas by greatly increasing density, particularly for residential. This additional housing is needed in the County and will support local retailers. Connecting bus access to the stations is also important, but so also is some park-and-ride access. Maybe park and rides can be on the Swift line a short distance from the light rail station area?
114. focus on dense housing and public transportation 115. Would love high density residential, mix of quality retail, small businesses, parks. Mass transit, minimal single occupancy cars.
116. Snohomish County has a wonderful opportunity to become a cosmopolitan place with a large diversity of different services and land uses. Every Link station should become a new Downtown for Snohomish County residents. There should be government service, education, recreational, cultural, and public health facilities within walking distance of the stations. Height restrictions should also be removed for all property within a 15 minute walk of the stations. Having Link service means that these places will be prime locations for large quantities of housing and employment. Additionally, Community Transit needs to orient service so that other parts of the county that aren't walking distance from the stations have a frequent bus line nearby, for access. Right now, the CT Swift lines don't do the best job of also being feeder services for commuters who originate in the county and have destinations where these Link stations are or perhaps other locations in the Link system.
117. Too bad that light rail isn't being split into two pieces, the first being from Lynnwood to Mariner, where folks could connect to it via Swift Green BRT. It's only 3 stations and about 7 miles, similar to the Northgate extension, but without any tunnels! It should be possible! Lobby for this! Ar least get the direct access ramp at 164th completed to remove the 2024 armada of buses from crossing lanes between there and 128th and for relieving the congestion on 164th and on Ash Way. Redesign the facility so that buses use the traffic signal closest to 164th & Ash Way, especially Swift Orange. Put a traffic signal at the north end of the loop!
118. Light rail is a total loser. Horrendously expensive; inflexible; uncomfortable, and more. Rapid transit bus is a far more effective and efficient option.
119. Forget light rail, too expensive and not flexible, busses are better for flexibility and cost.
120. Cancel light rail projects. They do not help congestion or people that want other transportation options. A better less expensive option would be more bus routes.
121. After this virus scare, who will ride this over-priced germ mobile? Or bring back street busses and add as many routes/times as possible. Save Millions of tax payers dollars.
122. Thank you for choosing the East side Ash Way location. It will be much better for traffic and access. Please use the Dutch planning model to provide advantageous routes and separation for each transport mode, ditch the stupid American engineering standards that are killing us. Create streets and whole areas that are designed for people, not cars. Fill the space with people to maximize use of the train. No parking on public land! Create frequent bus service and rideshare partnerships.
123. I know you don't want to think about it, but you need to consider people living OUTSIDE the blue oval area. All of this light rail planning is being done CLOSE to the rail line. However, you are going to have A LOT of riders coming from OUTSIDE this area. Again, you don't want to think about it, but you need to plan for more parking because like it or not, people are NOT going to get out of their cars! I know you want to add bus lanes on major roads, but that is NOT going to work unless you make it VERY CONVENIENT for them to keep their cars at home. ie, bus routes in front of their homes (in the neighborhoods). I am sick and tired of hearing all about density near the rail line, and that's fine, but you are NOT talking about riders coming from other areas! Please start talking to those people now, if you want this planning to be successful.
124. Please make it easy for people to take transit/bus from the Everett station to the light rail hubs. Also make it easy for those who have to travel by vehicle to the light rail stations to be able to park. If it's not easy, they will just drive their cars.
125. need more parking at transit lots 126. How to connect West and East communities over the I5 corridor. It is already challenging and with the additional growth may also hinder adoption of public transportation. I personally commute to Seattle but do not take public transportation because of how long it takes to cross I5 to get back to Bothell.
127. 2036 is too far away. The development of Light Rail needs to be expedited in light of recent population growth trends. Pollution is becoming a BIG problem and we need to do whatever we can do to expedite the Light Rail development and pull the schedule to the left.
128. Consider expanding roads and transit services before adding homes. Consider schools as a priority over transit. Bigger better schools to fit all the people moving in.
129. More connection of sidewalks and trails in between neighborhoods. Better requirements for road and public transit upgrades before building new neighborhoods.
130. Access in and out of the little island between 128th and 164 is only getting worse. There are also incomplete pedestrian facilities throughout the area especially near Airport park and Martha Lake. A new bridge over I5 is needed along with transit options on Meadow and Cascadian.
131. Safe walking is woefully lacking on streets like Manor Way. Also, all these subdivisions that don't connect through pushes traffic on to semi-arterials. Create more walking and better connections by aligning streets better in a more grid-like way. This will improve options to get to transit by fostering alternate routes when inevitable obstacles happen.
132. Prioritize affordable housing, and reduce the seediness of South Everett. E.g. provide an actual open space to gather as opposed to people just loitering. Cross-freeway bottlenecks need to be reduced, e.g. the distance between 128th and 164th is 3 miles... also, finish 228th street.
133. I don’t think the 128th/132nd will be able to handle the traffic if there are more 3-5 story apt complexes.
134. I wish that the Ash way project would be by Walmart and not where it's projected. The traffic is terrible where it is and will only get worse.
135. Recognize personal transportation (whether autos or their replacement) will need to be accommodated. Our region is too hilly to easily allow folks to bike everyewhere, and the reliance on public transit only was shown as a HUGE detriment to the health of people needing essential travel options during a virus lockdown. We will need to have flexibility because it will happen again, and more often
136. Do not use our streets for light rail. Prioritize more lanes over light rail
137. We need more roads. Not outrageous and expensive light rail. We are being way overcharged for car tabs that we have voted over and over to reduce. Start listening to the people not overpaid bureaucrats
138. Put vertical parking structures in at every light rail and park and ride station. If there's not enough parking spaces to accommodate mass transit, the people will not use light rail for commuting. Also, fix and update the current interstate highways by resurfacing and adding additional lanes. Not everyone will be able to use public transit so you still need to keep expanding on current infrastructure.
139. Additional Police and Fire resources to these areas need to be budgeted. Traffic Synchronization needs to be a priority for all to use the modes of transportation. DONT just favor bikes or transit.
140. Make it accessible with points of interest to bring in people from the surrounding areas
141. Please consider better connections from Tulalip to park and rides
142. Ensure ramps and elevators. Don't be like NYC. 143. Accessibility to all
144. Easy access for buses into and out of stations from surrounding areas.
145. Please consider ways for people to access the light rail stations from neighborhoods near to the oval, for example the Silver Lake area. Parking for park and ride locations is already insufficient, and adding parking at the light rail stops will likely not be sufficient. Perhaps local shuttles can circulate from the light rail stations to other neighborhoods, with shuttles stops located within the neighborhoods, at park and ride lots, and other parking locations?
146. Good bus service to light rail.
147. Bike and non-motorized transportation should be grade-elevation separated when next to traffic lanes with speed limits in excess of 25mph. If traffic does not adhear to speed limit within 5mph then traffic calming devices are necessary or grade-elevation separation. Interurban trails which are entirely separated from automobile traffic except at crossings are preferred for connecting more distant communities, and increasing the efficiency and speed of non-motorized transportation. Solar powered lighting should be provided for night time use and security especially at crossings. Windbreaks such as tree plantings along each side of bicycle trails will be necessary to improve the comfort and efficiency of use. Finally, these paved trails need to be plowed when it snows and anti-icing spray should be used on the surface if frost or freeze is expected, just as is done for automobile roads. Hills should be sanded if necessary to increase traction when freezing is expected or occurring.
148. Having good bike & walking paths to and from mass transit is important. Also having good bike & walking paths to and from major shopping or community areas (library, post office, etc) would be helpful. For example, I wish Lynnwood had bike lanes along 196th St and at least 44th Ave!
149. tie in Mill Creek and Bothell with better options than a bus. I'll take cycle or walking trails.
150. Dedicated bike and walking trails.
151. Bike lanes separate from the road with own signals.
152. Dedicated, safe bike trails that connect neighborhoods and shopping areas
153. Need to be able to cross I-5 in several places on foot/bike between 128th and 164th st exits. The light rail stations will never have enough parking (just like the nightmare of ash way pr), please give us alternatives!
154. Pedestrian and bicycle only bridges across I-5
155. Protected bike lanes are indispensable in that area. I lived there for two years and it was so risky to bicycle around that I stopped riding my bicycle after having done so for years in Seattle. Even walking out of the transit park and rides feels risky. Reducing speed limits could be beneficial too. From a public health perspective, trees and vegetation will be indispensable in public areas as climate warms and heat waves become more common. Some design ideas can address multiple problems at the same time. Ex. protected bicycle/pedestrian trails bordered with tree canopy provide: better transportation, access to transit, reduced pollution, recreational activities, reduction in fatal encounters with traffic and reduced heat-island effect. Having pedestrian/bicycle areas only (no car access) with green space is also easier to plan from the start than trying to add after years of development. One last note, if sport fields are included, please stay away from synthetic turf. Thank you for considering this long list of comments! I appreciate you having the opportunity for citizens to give feedback.
156. Sidewalks everywhere, please! 157. Sidewalks and parks will be used and they are not offered as selection choices in many of the categories. Sidewalks are never mentioned but they are critical. Sidewalks in Snohomish County are, apparently, not even an after thought. Build them and they will be used.
158. Sidewalks, better walking routes
159. Sidewalks!! Consistent sidewalks with safe crosswalks across arterials are needed to make people feel safe walking to get to transit.
160. Residential streets north of 164th need sidewalks! I can’t safely get to the bus stop on 164th. I will drive to the light rail without sidewalks.
161. Will there be an area next to the raised railbed area of the lightrail roadway that is designated as a bike lane? Sounds like an excellent idea to me. The bike trail could be the same route as the light rail route
162. My commute is only 7 miles, but there is no bikeable route, and most of the bike lanes are unsafe. Please expand the paved off-street trail network!! Painting a picture of a bicycle on a street does not make it safer for us or magically make it into a bike route. I would bike or take transit if either of them were an option! Please help - I don't want to drive.
163. Safety is key as area foot and car traffic increases, esp at Ash Way roundabout. Since becoming a thoroughfare, it’s dangerous to cross the street as a pedestrian!
164. Small blocks are best!
165. safe bike and pedestrian access as well as vehicle-free areas would be highly beneficial
166. IT is really hard to bike/walk in this area now, so any improvements there would be great.
167. Snohomish has a higher rate of vehicular collisions, per resident, compared to Renton and even Seattle. There is lack of bicycle lanes and cars travel way over the speed limit.
168. It is almost impossible to go east-west on a bicycle. There are a few N-S options, but not many. The bike trail that's been in the works for 12 years still isn't built.
169. Continuity . Walks that flow from one area to another consistently
170. Please make a safe sidewalk all around Silver Lake! Something like Green Lake. I have been waiting 23 years for that to happen!
171. Walkability in these areas is poor. Often no sidewalks. Traffic is getting more congested and noisy and polluting. It is not an area that invites hanging out. I think of the Green Lake Area as an example of what I would like here.
172. During COVID-19, we are seeing the need for space for pedestrians and bicycling, so it would be important to plan for Open Streets allowing more use of our public rights of way for non-vehicular use. This crisis allows an opportunity to consider how to promote healthy environments by thinking and planning with creative solutions.
173. Improving the walk score and sidewalk infrastructure
174. Make it easier to reach park and rides without a car. Many are placed at the top of very steep hills.
175. With an aging population, walking is not going to be an acceptable mode of transportation for many people. 176. As public transit and walkability improve in the area, some neighborhood streets can be returned to pedestrians. People living next to light rail don't need driveways at their doors.
177. Please consider adding rain gardens to reduce runoff, trees for making the area pleasing to the eye and carbon capture, ways to reduce light pollution,
178. Keep in mind impact on pollution and environment
179. Stricter green building requirements! Less non-pervious pavement. Keep the trees as much as possible. Link nature trails to public transit options. Multi-use buildings with roof-top community gardens.
180. Reduce vehicles on the road for attention to climate change.
181. make all construction projects environmentally friendly including water permeable parking lots
182. Please create enhanced requirements for green space and tree canopy with every development. Current requirements are woefully inadequate to meet environmental and psychosocial needs. You do not get a do- over. This must be done now. It must be strict.
183. We need more trees in public spaces
184. electric vechicles and solar power
185. For every tree cut down in development, plant three!
186. Please conserve the old growth trees and nature habitat
187. Trees must be increased for optimal health and pleasure. Looking up at the big firs is paradise. We need those beautiful green spaces everywhere, even in our neighborhoods.
188. Plan for reducing environmental harm from human activity
189. Edible public spaces habitat for people and wildlife
190. Less is more preserve the remaining forests for our children and wildlife. They don’t want handlebars when they have ready to go all natural evergreen trees to climb and improve air quality! Acquire as many parcels as you can within the urban growth. Buy and allow Frognal in Picnic Point to reseed which it’s already sprouting Madrone's, Hemlocks, Cedars and Firs after the recent in limbo clearcut. Rezone private land by passing a vital lands act on the top of the list multiple individually owned parcels adjacent to Picnic Point Beach Park. 300’ tall 25’ around Douglas Firs and Western Red Cedars trees 500 years old and representing less than .001% of all trees left on Earth. Trees you can’t simply replace by replanting. Perhaps the biggest in the county / Seattle area. Naturally occurring PNW forests are the richest most fertile land in all of nature. Let’s Preserve it and make it happen! Brandon 425-773-7964
191. Preserve as much natural foliage, plant and wildlife habitats as possible!!
192. There's been a steady decrease in vegetation in that area as more housing goes up. If you could plant new ones, as the old ones get removed, that would be greatly appreciated.
193. Be intentional in your outreach effort to get people’s input. People who are going to be severely affected by all changes are people experiencing poverty (poor people). Often times with changes comes gentrification and poor people have no saying in the process and then they are confronted with displacement. I want Snohomish County to be mindful & to think about humanity. The section of south Everett this would affect is a Mukilteo School District serving area (that school district alone has 49% students, over 8000, on Free or Reduced-Price Lunch Program)... let's keep them in mind in the planning process. Invite them to partake in the process and especially connect with Mukilteo SD if you haven’t already. Connect with high school senior students of age at the three high schools + those in Lynnwood (Edmonds School District). It’s their future livelihoods that will be affected.
194. Have lots of thoughts about what to do, But come on let's be real your going to do what you want anyway as long as someone is putting money in all your pockets.
195. This needs to reach many people before a decisions are made. It's very important for the community to buy into a plan at the start. This is such a great opportunity -before space is carved up and there is less chance to make it work the way the community would like to see.
196. This was a very wonky survey. I recommend you try to make these more user friendly in the future.
197. The needs of the diverse community who lives and attends school in this area needs to be prioritized.
198. Glad this survey is out. Snohomish county has the chance to do it right—let’s take advantage of this opportunity and take our wonderful county to another level with kore residents here!
199. I do not agree with the options offered. Some appeared to be channelling responders to get a pre-set answer
200. This survey is highly biased with some of the questions, it is biased against people using their own vehicles. Its obvious what your agenda is, but people want to drive their own cars, it is faster and better than the mass transit you are pushing.
201. I found the last section where I order ranked things I consider priorities for our area, to be frustrating. Most of the items I was asked to rank are items I would not consider important for the future of our area. Many of them seem like they are counter to the to what we believe are necessary to ensure the long-term health of our area. It seems disheartening that many of the ideas we are asked to rank are something being considered at our county level.
202. Be mindful of financial implications to tax holders always.
203. Be more cost wise. You need to be frugal as you are spending other people's money, not your own.
204. Consideration needs to be made for the growing homeless and drug addict population in this area. Developing the open spaces where they currently hide without providing a managed response will just push them into the parks and common spaces in the proposed plan. This would cause a reduction in safety which would, along with the unsightly side-effects of some that choose a transient lifestyle, reduce the effectiveness of this design. If this area ends up looking like downtown Seattle, with illegal encampments and piles of garbage, it would be a failure of this plan.
205. Affordable housing
206. Work nearby and homes available at an affordable cost should be most important.
207. Please understand the existing demographic in that area and how these plans will impact them. Provide low income housing in your plans. You will displace a large number of disenfranchised families who have no voice in this. Take care of them.
208. Traffic,Taxes, the elderly will be on a fixed income and cannot afford the money that these changes will bring. You mentioned nothing about this population in your servey but you too will be there some day. Could you please address that as the buildings did not consider when a person is old and cant walk so good anymore.
209. There are too many high rise apartments crowding our streets.
210. We need a variety of types of housing options built - single family, duplexes, town-homes, condominiums, etc. 211. For “Ash Way” there’s more development opportunities on the East side of I-5. Also, even further East from there is where a mass majority of growth has occurred and continues. Additionally, the hill offers commanding views if we build up - which can establish a unique and lavish appearance with higher property values so long as there’s a mix of residential, commercial, retail and parking in each “tower”. Rooftop restaurants, observation decks and health clubs or hotels on the upper floors can add a unique character and identity for the area. The East side of I-5 makes much more sense than the west with a swamp and limited potential.
212. Avoid blight like car lots and strip malls.
213. There has to be a balance, we don’t need to serve every niche need; but Snohomish County needs to be more than a Seattle bedroom.
214. Avoid the feeling of people just passing through. Make it a neighborhood
215. Make it easier for small businesses to thrive, giving communities personality and charm (Edmonds, Downtown Snohomish). Keep safety as a priority. Don't allow living in public spaces.
216. It should not be just a bedroom community for people who work in Seattle. Can you try to make it a more cohesive neighborhood that people identify as a place to live, work and be proud of?
217. I'd like Snohomish to become a real cool place, not just a bedroom community
218. Hwy 99 in this area is a ‘dominated’ (seemingly) by small and large auto dealerships that make that area feel pedestrian and not attractive as a destination. How can that change, as this area matures?
219. Lynnwood is looking like an upper middle class slum because of it's lack of preserving greenery or green requirement setbacks for buildings. Really low class. Mill Creek and many other nearby towns have made something to be proud of, and we made a bunch of cement and mortar aesthetically unpleasant barrenness. Demand Lynnwood City prioritize setback requirements or landscape requirements for all buildings.
220. Require more land per home. The surface water is becoming more of an issue with each multi housing project. At minimum 1/4 acre per home. Enough apartment complexes already! You are destroying our quaint neighborhood!!!
221. I want this area to be still feel like a neighborhood, not an area packed full of apartments or houses crammed together. I want to feel like it is still a residential neighborhood.
222. PRESERVE RURAL LAND. This is our food security in Snohomish and also a way to protect our fisheries. Create housing and jobs (density) close to public transportation. Encourage mixed use dwelling and make zoning changes to allow for a variety of living spaces, retain neighborhood icons whether and open market, a book store gathering place, a park for kids to play and people to walk their dog and chat. Elevate all things public and wrest power out of the hands of a the wealthy who dominate landuse.
223. Right now, there are too many homes being built and we don't have the transportation to support it. Home development needs to slow down in Snohomish county (especially more populated areas like Lynnwood)
224. Please plan to make Snohomish county a beautiful, safe and natural place to live and work, without the excessive sprawl and automobiles, and automobile infrastructure, noted in other large metropolitan areas such as LA.
225. Keep it humane and local. Minimize big box malls surrounded by vast parking lots. Lots of trees and informal gathering places, benches, tables, fountains.
226. More local area restaurants, bars, shopping, amenities. 227. Design standards should be urban in nature. No cul de sacs. These standards should emphasis variety in housing, curbs & sidewalks along with density.
228. You have no plan for public farmer's markets. These facilities are essential fundamental gathering spots for communities. Downtown Seattle development FOLLOWED saving the Pike Place Market. This was a natural community developer.
229. The building heights need to be very high to accommodate as many living spaces and businesses in walking distance to light rail. Minimize open spaces. Maximize housing.
230. Its easy to impersonalize a community by building high rise housing. Light rail will open up housing options further out. Also please don't build bike lanes at the expense of space for cars. Build them in addition. Families who live out here cannot manage shopping and kid activities on top of commuting on bicycles! Seattle is already far along on their seeming plan to displace families. Let's make Sno Co family friendly as well as commuter friendly. I moved here 21 years ago from Seattle because it was a good place to raise a family. Love it here because it accommodates living a full life with most of wh eat we need close by.
231. Keep high density living closer to the transportation corridor and allow single family homes in the outskirts with appropriate feeder options to transportation hubs.
232. We already have more people in the Lynnwood - Everett area than Seattle had in the 90s — let's continue to plan our infrastructure accordingly so we don't screw ourselves out of amenities :)
233. When placing light rail in our county . Always remember for future growth. live for tomorrow not for today. That has gotten to where we are today. do the right thing
234. Before you consider housing options for Snohomish County you need to look at job options. If there were jobs here people wouldn't have to commute. Roads would be less crowded/dangerous. Light Rail wouldn't be necessary and the massive funds going to waste on it could go to some use within the county rather than getting people out of the county.
235. Grocery deserts! It is not being considered now! It isn’t even included in your choices!
236. I own my home on 20th Ave W and want to keep my home and neighbors/neighborhood!
237. Community oriented neighborhood
238. Prioritize transit oriented development and creating unique mixed-use spaces. Some position of the population will always use these spaces as park and ride locations but creating a larger incentive for people to move within walking distance of these light rail stations will reduce greenhouse gases and traffic in a more meaningful way. Thank you for taking the time to consider my feedback.
239. I think it would be a great opportunity for the local businesses, as well as a source of potential revenue, if small shops and quickmarts were placed inside the rail transit center. A great example is Japan's placement of a variety of shops in their rail stations - customers can shop while they wait, develop a routine (like getting coffee or breakfast on their way to work) and you get the safety of more customers in the station during the day.
240. Retain as much of the character as possible. Don't make it like a crowded corner like the downtown city.
241. Please don’t make south Everett like Northgate.
242. Congregate larger housing complexes with ground floor businesses closely around light rail stations 243. Consider looking at how Tokyo utilizes their transit stations and the surrounding areas. If we make the transit stations more than just places where you get off the train/bus then it could uplift the entire view of public transit.
244. There should be a light rail stop at 41st street. I realize it's a short hop from the main station but 41st is an access point for many middle Everett neighborhoods and a major connection to Mukilteo and the ferry system. The main station is in an awkward area to access for these neighborhoods.
245. Please remember to include going North to the Everett Mall area.
246. What about getting to PAE? What about Boeing? What are plans to connect with these two places?
247. We need light rail to connect to the airport. Sure the airport is not fully grown yet. But the region requires that it continue to grow. Skipping PAE is a grave mistake for the people, the economy, the county and the state.
248. Light rail needs a stop at the airport terminal!
249. The Light Rail needs to connect with the Airport!!
250. Connecting Paine Field Airport will be very important for travelers and Boeing employees
251. Light rail should be near other transit centers like paine field airport, Mukilteo and Edmonds ferries
252. It does not go to enough Places and not enough options for getting on and off the light rail
253. I'm disappointed in light rail because it will be very inconvenient for us to get to
254. Expand light rail!
255. bring lightrail to to bothell
256. Light rail should not end at the Boeing plant. It should go to Everett Station and continue up to the north end of Marysville/Arlington.
257. The importance of linking Everett to Seattle as a commuter line
258. Build light rail on the West side of I5.
259. Please try to avoid building a sharp hairpin turn into the light rail tracks by Mariner. It's a poor choice for the long term. 30 years from now the thousands of people riding the trains will wonder what the heck the planners were thinking when they picked an awkward, slow route.
260. Removing all that rail was very short sighted [unless you are part of Sound Transit]. Possibly using that “Trail” idea funding to put in park and rides by what is left of the freight lines. No mud slides either unlike the rail line from Everett to Seattle. Most of the rail that’s left is in Snohomish County. A good deal of backdoor shenanigans whet on to destroy good infrastructure. http://www.eastsiderailnow.org/route.html Wasted infrastructure. Rails to trails took away those options. Just think of all the light rail that could be in use on those old heavy rail freight lines. They spent million$ ripping out what could be used for light rail and called it rails to trails for recreation [insert the word “bicycle” use]. But then will close down highways for a bike marathon [insert the word weekend “recreation”]. Again. Removing all that rail was very short sighted [unless you are part of Sound Transit]. Possibly using that “Trail” idea funding to put in park and rides by what is left of the freight lines. No mud slides either unlike the rail line from Everett to Seattle. 261. Best bet is to create a straight shot to downdown Everett instead of going west to the Everett industrial area. Then have a secondary way from Downtown Everetts location to this sub areas. This way more people will benefit from light rail.
262. Let's say that working from home is part of a new normal that stretches years and maybe decades, the light rail will be a huge fixed system that doesn't meet workers'needs.
263. Don't build light rail.
264. No more light rail!
265. No to light rail
266. Keeping single family homes and real neighborhoods get RID of light rail!
267. I am not in favor of Sound Transit at all. I think it is an antiquated type of transportation before it was even started and is a total waste of tax payer money. There has to be a better, more economical and less intrusive way of helping to get people around. Four years ago, there was only one destination that would make Sound Transit even worthwhile to me, and that ended when the decision was made to close and tear down Northgate Mall for a hockey rink. At this moment, I cannot see myself ever using Sound Transit Lightrail.
268. No light rail.
269. I’ll be dead before this project is done. A monumental waste of money. Light rail is 1800s technology in modern skin. Sound Transit is a criminal organization
270. I would use public transit so much more often if the light rail came to Ash way. While the express buses exist, they don't avoid traffic. Thank you!
271. Please hurry as much as you can!
272. Build it sooner
273. The sooner we can get light rail here, the better.
274. Please bring the light rail faster so I can ride it before I die. The timeline is ridiculously long. This is needed now.
275. This taking entirely too long to become reality.
276. GET IT DONE ON BUDGET ON TIME
277. It would be great to have the light rail early. Driving to Seattle and airport is a BIG problem today.
278. Figure out how to build this faster. It was needed many years ago.
279. Please hurry it up.
280. Expedite light rail ASAP.
281. Accelerate light rail connections to the area
282. Because of our manufacturing base and growth, Everett should have been placed as a priority just like Tacoma was. 283. This will end up costing way too much. Please make it worth the hassle and money. A public transportation service which allows the public a safe and enjoyable ride, without be overrun by homeless, non-paying riders would be a nice goal.
284. Get rid of the STA cost for seniors and those residents that have no impact or no benefit from the freaking deal with it you idiot
285. Ability to pay....people will leave area due to high taxes.
286. Don't add a tax burden to those who do not or will not benefit from the services
287. Ensure all light rail and public transportation users pay something for every trip. No FREE use! Finance future expansion and maintenance projects through fares and fundraising, NOT TAXES or FEES on vehicle registration.
288. ALL of Snohomish County should have to pay the RTA tax!!! Make it fair. Just as many people from Marysville, Arlington, Stanwood, Lake Stevens, etc will be using the Light Rail as folks who live in Everett.
289. I want my RTA tax back, theives!
290. Manage tax dollars better. Be more transparent about the state of the project, including status, budget, and if you are on track with ANYTHING
291. Reduce the ridiculous number of sales and excise taxes. 10.5% is the highest sales tax rate on the west coast of the usa.
292. I think each station needs: - A design theme reflected in the architecture to give the station area an identity. A mansard roof line, a reflecting pool, a clock tower are examples of what makes a station area great!
293. Bathroom in waiting stations and heating in waiting station thank you
294. The people of Washington state needs to vote RED and take ti back from the corrupt dumbOcRAT.
295. With a higher density population, property generates greater tax revenue; please earmark some or all of that increment in the tax revenue for maintenance and upkeep of the public spaces mentioned in earlier questions.
296. Promote work from home. Coronavirua taught us most office workers don't need to commute.
297. Quit trying to change our freedom for socialist policies.
298. Repeal sound transit
299. I can't wait for light rail to reach us!
300. Thank you for asking. Good luck with this ambitious project.
301. This project is a unique opportunity to improve the lives of people living in some of the densest areas of the county, while planning for the future and continued growth. As someone living near but outside the official impact area, I'm excited about the possibility of connecting via car, but wouldn't prioritize it over the environment or building/designing for the people who are actually local.
302. Please make the light rail work. When the train works people will ride it. Just look at Portland, Taipei, Tokyo, Paris, London, etc.
303. Excited about the project. 304. There is too much population growth. We need policies to curb the growth, not to expand it. There should be no need for high-rises here. Too many people. It's not sustainable.
305. Yes, Snohomish County will grow but we don't need to keep making it uglier by building up and closer together, just to appease developers. People will move outer areas but that is okay as it is already overcrowded in most of Snohomish county. Can't go backwards, what is done is done since Agenda 21, and now Agenda 30 is being pushed through no matter what the public states.
306. Enough of trying to accommodate all the damn growth! We cannot continue this forever. It's time to slow everything down. We continued use up our natural resources as if its an endless supply. Just who in the hell are the so-called experts that are so damn greedy mean and selfish and unfortunately don't give a damn for protecting our planet for future Generations. And, by Future Generations, I'm not just referring to our species, the biggest and worst predator on the planet.
307. Given we have just endured social distancing. We should be looking at less density development not more. Look at cities that were must dense, they had the most deaths.
308. limit the number if people allowed to move into the area by limiting multi- housing!
309. STOP allowing the high density / in-fill subdivisions to be built where existing single family homes have been ... It really depletes our standard of living and makes things just unbearable ... South Snohomish County is overcrowded because you've pushed for this type of construction ... The prices are too high and no one is going to be able to afford these cookie cutter residences ...
310. Build lots in lots of Park and ride spaces 20-30k more at least. For every park and ride space you build there will be one more daily rider of light rail.
311. You need better parking or public transportation to get to/from light rail
312. Lots of EXTRA and free parking at all light-rail stations so there is always a parking spot- short term AND long term for airport trips.
313. Ample parking at the public transit station is important
314. Enough parking space to take the light rail for transportation.
315. Expand park and rides for light rail areas
316. Need way more parking at transit hubs. I will not take public transit unless it is convenient to get to and park. I have no easy access that gets me to the transit center. 164th Park and Ride being overfilled daily stops me from using the bus to go downtown. I feel like you are moving toward less parking rather than more.
317. If you put in the light rail, but don't provide sufficient parking, it won't get use from people a bit further out. We live outside of this area, too far for walking/biking, but my husband would be able to use light rail for his commute to downtown if there was sufficient room at the park and ride, which would help decrease traffic, accidents, and general congestion on the freeway.
318. Factor in that most people are going to drive to a park and ride to take transit for their commute. Most people arrive very early in the morning to accommodate this commute which means adding the time of taking a bus to a transit station is not reasonable.
319. ensure adequate parking (multi-story garages) that would allow for those of us outside of the immediate transit areas, to park & ride.
320. Ensure plenty of off street parking for all housing options. 321. I live near the Ash Way Park & Ride. Currently I work from home, but if I were to get a future job in downtown Seattle, I would love to commute by light rail! So I hope that parking is greatly expanded at Ash Way.
322. Whatever parking you're planning on adding, triple it at least otherwise you're limiting the ability of the suburban stations to service those who are out of walking range, but don't get up at zero dark thirty to go to work. Otherwise potential mid day riders will simply drive to the city, or skip it all together.
323. Many people who don’t use the area now, will use it when light rail shows up. There should be plenty of parking for the light rail station (even if it is one bus stop away) and a dedicated pick up/drop off space. Enough parking is HUGE, since people will be going to the airport, commuting and to Work
324. Light rail needs to have sufficient parking so that it can be used throughout the day.
325. Light link stations need to have easily accessible free parking in order for people to use public transit. Otherwise public transit will not succeed
326. Add more parking to transit stations.
327. 164th is difficult right now with funding a parking spot without light rail. A parking garage is really needed here so more people can maximize public transit
328. Generous capacity Park & Ride
329. Make sure there is parking at transit stations
330. Please plan for a substantial parking garage for commuters to drive to Ash Way Park and/or Ride or Mariner Park and Ride and connect to light rail.
331. For light rail to work, many people must either drive or take the bus to get there. Please provide adequate parking, even if this means multilevel parking. Multilevel parking may build down as well as up. Expanded bus coverage would be beneficial as well.
332. Accessibility for Seniors. Most use cars to get around so need parking spaces or structures because they may not be able to walk far.
333. Provide parking near the stations at least early on. People who live further out have a hard time finding bus connections from their homes because it is so rural
334. adequate parking at park n rides for mass transit
335. Acuatic parks
336. a dog park would be nice
337. We need open spaces and parks for our health
338. Public gardens
339. Snohomish County would benefit and be a leading example if we added Senior Playgrounds to our parks. Someone please endeavor to make this a priority!!
340. Open spaces are going to become even more important in the future.
341. Update the Parks and Recreation Department and make it a priority: larger budget, hire more park rangers and maintenance crews (currently parks are bare maintenance), need to recruit many park volunteers, planning staff needs a new vision for current and future maintenance and development. For safety, every park needs tiny homes around the properties with full time people living in them. This will reduce park vandalism and crime that is occurring daily now. Future parks need to be fenced in and have a way to lock them down at night and critical times. Parks are public areas that are completely unsupervised now and in 2050 safety will be a major issue.
342. Combine parks near public transportation and housing
343. Better restaurants and safer hiking areas. Take better care of the forested land we have left and make it safe to hike through.
344. I want to list public art higher on all this but it’s hard when it is in competition with healthcare etc- so why not a “yes and”, as in, we have this library and in front it has public art like we allready do. Just please no more abstract shapes, more like the nature sculptures at the lynnwood library and less like the giant..uh...thing.. at veteran’s park. Murals too, I miss murals from back east in Philly. Plenty of awesome stuff happened in WA and in Lynnwood- let’s celebrate it! Down with boring blank surfaces.
345. I think public art should be included in lots of other projects. I voted for some things above it but I thinks important
346. Please consider the safety of the residents and install traffic control/calming measures as the area grows. People already speed through residential areas because traffic on arterial streets are terrible.
347. A place that is safe and appealing equates to healthier living.
348. Safety accessibility and walk ability are the most important factors!
349. I want to feel safe with my young kids out at night. I want to be use a stroller wherever I go, including getting on/off public transit. I want it to be normal for everyone to use public transit, not just something for a lower class. I want it to be easier to leave my house without my car than with it.
350. This area has lot of crime. Wide Open areas does not help the current situation of drugs and Violence. Making this neighborhood safer to be in would encourage me to leave my car and use the light rail. If not, there is no point in wasting our money on this project.
351. This area needs greater police visibility currently and in the future as light rail comes here. There needs to be a good community presence to push the crime out.
352. Must curb crime in this area for it to grow and give riders comfort to us this source of transportation without fear and often
353. Public safety and security in the Mariner area needs attention. It is an unwelcoming area with sketchy activities being the norm.
354. Nothing will improve until we get the drug addict situation under control. I’d love to be able to walk around my neighborhood, but I don’t feel safe with all the petty crime and people living in the bushes.
355. Deal with the homeless, drug addicts roaming around the area. Any open spaces will be occupied by them. Walking is not safe, even in the daylight with them all over leaving used sringes everywhere. The other safety issue is cars not being aware of pedestrians ROW at intersections. Then again there are the above mentioned individuals running dangerously through traffic when the vehicles have the ROW.
356. Safety
357. Unless crime and harassment is addresses public transportation, parks and housing won’t be a success in 2050. 358. Safety first
359. Infrastructure needs to be planned well before adding housing. Additionally people need to be safe. Police, fire and other essential services need to be sufficient, not just build first, figure out the rest later. That style of developing is foolish, reckless and frustrating.
360. Much of this area feels unsafe, dirty, dangerous, full of criminal activity and generally not someplace I want to spend time right now. I want to feel safe and as if this space had something to offer me besides parking my car to get to the light rail.
361. Never ever put in red light cameras
362. Light rail is unsafe due to criminal activities it attracts and will help spread pandemics (just as NYC is experiencing). It is a poor investment for transportation.
363. Need a police presence. At the everett transit center I have seen drug dealing in the day time.
364. The light rail station should be lit up like a Christmas tree (that is to say, very brightly) all night long. I would like to see it brighter than Everett Station. As a woman, I feel scared to be at the Everett Station, or any Park & Ride, Transit Station, etc. after dark because not all areas are well-lit. I would also like to see A LOT of round-the-clock paid security guards (with guns) patrolling the area, not only for car thefts, but for any kind of crime. Having them available at the location instantly when needed would provide me with a greater sense of safety-- especially if they could escort me to my car. I would be willing to pay higher taxes for this service; I'm willing to bet others would be too.
365. I’d hate to see this area develop the homeless tent problems seen in Seattle. We need safe spaces for all ages to be outside, in parks, on trails, and waiting for/using public transit at any time of the day or night. Safety in every sense is critical.
366. speed limit down to 25 because car, trucks and motorccycles use Ash and Madison as a race track in excess of 50 or 60 miles per hour, TODAY
367. Please create more arterial bus routes.
368. Make it easier for commuters to get into the job centers of Seattle and Bellevue - like park and rides (with adequate parking...) with bus service from outer neighborhoods that go directly to the transit center instead of meandering all over the place.
369. Those of us who regularly commute on Sound Transit buses have heard rumors that our buses will only go as far as the Northgate terminal of the light rail as soon as it is in service. This will make many of us very unhappy by adding a vehicle switch and some amount of waiting/transferring time to our morning and evening commutes and the light rail stops in the downtown area will be different and require many of us to walk longer distances. Please don't adopt this plan. Thanks.
370. Light rail is the wrong dedicated right-of-way technology. It should be limited to the main lines now being developed. It is noisy, it costs too much per mile, it can't climb hills, and there is an excessive temptation to build it at grade, which guarantees a non-zero accident death rate. It's a great 19th century technology, but hardly something one should be building in the 21st. Monorail is probably the better choice at the moment, although some sort of air or magnetic cushion and traction system should be considered if the energy, cost, and noise factors become competitive.
371. Transit agencies need to work together. We need a main service provider to run along the I-5 corridor with neighborhood connectors that bring people from their communities to hubs were they can catch the I-5 buses. 372. We absolutely need light rail but also better transit in the communities. Many people here would have to walk a mile just to get to a main road with a bus.
373. I have sent a message to Community Transit in regards to bus routes running through the Martha Lake area last March. So I reiterate my message to have more bus routes through the area, especially via Cascadian Way, in addition to the planned changes to Route 109 implemented in September 2020 so that it may be more convenient for me to use the bus from my neighborhood.
374. More bus stops into neighborhood to transport people to larger bussing routes and light rail.
375. Have buses running all day to the rail station, 15 minutes apart.
376. Fix the public transportation we have right now, therwise light rails will be a costly mistake.
377. How to connect the neighborhoods. May be a circular line?
378. Focus on transit. The local streets are already becoming congested during busy hours, by having good transit opportunities and connections then when the light rail comes to the area, might be able to get people out of cars and into alternate modes of transportation.
379. please consider connecting convenient public transportation lines to more inner cities that's not right next I5 for light rail. Maybe smaller rail lines that won't further congest the roads?
380. Light Rail is not the Holy Grail. Diversity of people and modes of transportation must be thought of at every level.
381. Need to interconnect all communities with transit so everone can choose to leave their car home/not own one. That includes areas that can't accomodate mega busses. Smaller busses traveling local atreets to provide access for all. Set a goal like everone having bus access within 6 blocks of their home and develop routes from there. Not we have these huge busses so will only cover areas where they can travel. What difference will it make to have great rapid transit if no one can access it?
382. The Coronavirus has shown that people will park their cars when needed. If safe and clean public transportation is available. The air circulation in the public transportation would have to be modernized as a result of the coronavirus.
383. Please make it possible to not own a car and still be economically viable and have a family in all communities.
384. transit from eastern snohomish County to transit hubs
385. I leave for work early in the morning. (4:30am). Public transportation is not running yet. I work in smokey point near arlington. I will probably never use the light rail. Not enough connecting transportation to make it feasible.
386. We need to improve public transit coverage to allow those from a wider area to make transit connections throughout the day.
387. More incentives for people to use it. Maybe a tax break for people who buy an unlimited ticket that gets checked in when they use the rail line. So they can’t just buy it and not use it enough.
388. More bus frequency from Mill Creek to the Ligh Rail Station. Cuurently there is only one bus, 412
389. We desperately need better options to make it into Seattle.
390. Make it convenient and safe for low income neighbors to streamline their transportation needs. 391. Paratransit/ADA accessible areas
392. Please find some way to allow mass transit (Sound Transit) to access the Ash Way Park and Ride without having to use 164th St SW.
393. MORE SCHOOLS!!! ESD is so overcrowded in this area
394. Stop Racism in the community
395. This is a large area. I would defer to experts, but I would think planning decisions would be more focused on smaller neighborhoods than this very large area. Hopefully the public will have an opportunity to weigh in on decisions that might affect one neighborhood differently than another.
396. Many of the prioritization questions in this survey are heavily dependent on context that was not provided. The area in question is LARGE. Too large to generalize for one list of priorities.
397. I'm upset that 112th is not considered in this.
398. What is the reasoning for the south end of the blue oval not go to the south of the county.you are leaving out the unincorporated county residents without any planning. Lynnwood and mill Creek are not MUGA planning for these areas
399. Add more lanes to I-5 and I-405
400. Dont forget about Paine Field traffic
401. With increasing traffic in this area, planning for future congestion should also be something to consider. Traffic can get very backed up of these roads already, it will be important to consider what to do about that in order to make the transit more accessible.
402. Better connectivity between the four primary areas. The current problem with congestion, is caused by the inadequate connectivity with these areas right now. Too few connecting streets within each area and too few connections between the east/west areas !!
403. Measures to mitigate traffic congestion as density increases will be appreciated. I'll be 82 in 2050 and will probably access the area less frequently than I do now.
404. Plan for growth 50 years in the future. You are always building parking and other projects that barely meet today's capacity. Look at the current traffic problems as an example.
405. I'm very concerned about the traffic situation. It is extremely difficult to get down 164 between 4 and 6 in the evenings.
406. Traffic is a nightmare just getting across I-5 on 164th St (W-->E is worse, but terrible both directions!)
407. Fix the traffic light flow on 164th from Both-Evt Highway to I-5. It is atrocious up near I-5.
408. Vehicle traffic needs to be addressed NOW. Area roads are already far over capacity at their current design.
409. Reducing traffic
410. Control traffic
411. Traffic is horrible on 164th . people cut through our street at high rates of speed to avoid it. Before any more houses are allowed the traffic issues must be addressed 412. Traffic flow! If we continue to ignore the problem, we'll see an INCREASE of anger in the coming years. IMPROVE the traffic flow.
413. Basically the room to accommodate all the new growth without having travel time be outrageous to just move a mile down the road possibly as much within the same safe area as possible!
414. Traffic issues need to be adressed. Local streets are far over capacity already
415. 164th is already a mess between ash way and mill creek. Fix that. How about shelters for the pan handlers on every corner?
416. Traffic has increased tremendously driving west on 164th toward I-5 southbound on-ramp because the on-ramp lanes decreased from 2 to 1. This was a TERRIBLE idea because traffic backs up for over a mile on 164th just to get in I-5 southbound. This doesn’t affect driving east to enter the freeway, just driving west from mill creek. Traffic near mill creek is terrible when headed to both I-5 (due to onramp change) and 405 (due to 180th not being widened after it was supposed to widened years ago), so we don’t need yer another traffic barrier when planning and building the rapid transit/light rail. Quality of life is affected because traffic is insane and if it takes too long to get there, less people will use it....plain and simple.
417. Alleviating traffic (vehicles). Rush hour is awful on 164th and Ash way and the overpass. How will you accommodate the added traffic once the light rail opens?
418. With the abundance of apartments and townhomes that have exploded in the last 6-10 years, especially near/on Ash Way, the current traffic levels (pre-pandemic) already overloaded the roads. There has to be a balance of transportation, large living complexes, and space.
419. Traffic on 164th and surrounding areas
420. Please reevaluate the traffic light situation on 164th street crossing I-5 in both directions, and Ash Way turn lanes E bound onto 164th. It is already a nightmare, and should be addressed prior to additional stress of construction and added traffic!
421. Easier traffic flow Going East and west on 128th and 164th is a nightmare and poor road planing The lights are not in sync and during rush hour it’s the worst to commute East and west
422. Traffic management is by far my greatest concern.
423. Traffic flow and signaling is as important as anything in this survey! Many changes have been made over the last 30 years that make it more difficult to access populated areas and bottleneck areas. Access to 405 from edmonds is difficult. Freeway access has been messed with over the years and shown very Lille improvement. A traffic flow survey would maybe bring you some insights!
424. we do not need more people living here if the traffic will be horrific on surrounding roads...... light rail will not solve this...... people need to drive to the station and to the retail areas
425. If you opt to increase population density in an area, be sure to reduce congestion first.
426. Put together a plan for how to integrate autonomous vehicles into vehicular traffic because they will come whether government is ready for it or not.
427. With dense housing being forced on us, the county should plan for open areas that are safe for children to play in and neighbors to have get togethers/barbeques. Also, there needs to be a way for cars to bypass the dense areas so we can drive through to other destinations. Plan to remove cul-de-sacs and connect a lot more secondary & residential roads. 428. We need more West to East and East to West roads through the entire area !!!!!! Especially between Lynnwood and Everett.
429. Access to Public Transit, get rid of cul-de-sac streets from neighborhoods
430. More east-west roads to be able to connect with the I5 corridor and the light rail.
431. Please make it easy for people to travel east-west as most of the people live east of I-5.
432. It’s already very difficult to access neighborhoods going across I-5 down main roads like 164th and 128th. There need to be more ways to connect east and west. It’s difficult to gather with family and friends during high traffic times.
433. Most importantly, the roads should be considered along with housing planning and traffic population
434. Improve the roadways and infrastructure, especially around 128th St SE & 4th Ave W.
435. Speed control