Casino Road residents worry of displacement in zoning plan, want community preserved

Residents of the Casino Road community in Everett, a neighborhood of approximately 20,000 people, are increasingly anxious about displacement as a new light rail station is planned within the next decade. City planning director Yorik Stevens-Wajda emphasized the city's focus on incorporating affordable housing into its “Everett 2044” zoning plan, which requires that 20% of units in new midsize and large apartment buildings remain affordable for 50 years. Local leaders like Alvaro Guillen, director of Connect Casino Road, reported that rising rents have already begun displacing residents. A briefing on the zoning plan is scheduled for the City Council on May 21, with a vote anticipated on June 18. The community has actively voiced its concerns, leading to over 30 meetings with city planners.

In late March, recommendations for protective measures against displacement were presented, and the city has incorporated some of those into its plan. Public comments on the light rail station location, which could potentially impact housing dynamics, are being accepted through June. The city plans to conduct a detailed subarea study of Casino Road's needs after the citywide plan is approved.