LYNNWOOD, Wash., April 18, 2023—To ensure adequate evaluation of its zoning codes, the Lynnwood City Council, during an emergency Special Business Meeting on Monday, April 17, voted 5-1 to an immediate six-month halt of the acceptance and processing of all applications for substance abuse outpatient clinics within its boundaries.
Because the City of Lynnwood Municipal Code Title 21, Zoning, has not been amended nor revised to address the desired location of substance abuse outpatient clinics within its boundaries, Council President Shannon Sessions requested of the Council to preserve the status quo for a six-month period to evaluate the appropriate location for substance abuse clinics and whether separation requirements between substance abuse clinics and schools and other uses are appropriate.
“I think that it is important that we do this because it gives us time…we are already working on the details, not necessarily to keep them out of Lynnwood but to have more control of where they are located in safer areas,” Council President Sessions said.
Following the controversy surrounding siting of the Lynnwood Comprehensive Treatment Center by Acadia Healthcare next to the Alderwood Boys & Girls Club earlier this year, Mayor Christine Frizzell shared that her City is taking active steps to evaluate proper location and adequate community involvement of essential public facilities and substance abuse clinics. She informed the public that on April 14, the City received an application on March 31, for a “Tenant Improvement Building: Remodel” similar to that of the Lynnwood Comprehensive Treatment Center.
