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Marysville · MAR-CP-2044 · Pages 23-86

Land Use

Land Use Economy Housing Environment Governance

“Only 3 of 52 Land Use policies (6%) include a concrete, measurable commitment.” Real Record SAY vs DO analysis · Marysville Comprehensive Plan

About this analysis

Real Record applies the SAY vs DO accountability framework to every chapter of every Washington comprehensive plan we publish. Each policy in the chapter is read individually and scored into one of four buckets:

  • Measurable — the policy names a specific target, deadline, dollar amount, or action that can be verified later.
  • Strong — binding action language (“shall,” “will adopt,” “require”) without a measurable threshold.
  • Aspirational — encouraging or supportive language (“encourage,” “support,” “consider”) with no enforcement.
  • Monitor only — policies that commit to tracking or reporting but not to action.

The accountability score shown in the sidebar is the share of policies in the chapter that landed in the “Measurable” bucket. A score of 0–19 (red) indicates most policies use aspirational language without concrete accountability; 20–49 (orange) is mixed; 50 or higher (green) means the chapter is dominated by measurable commitments.

The underlying text comes from the official adopted comprehensive plan published by the Marysville planning department. Scoring is performed by Real Record analysts using a structured rubric; the raw policy text and bucket assignments are archived in the Real Record civic data warehouse.

Read the full methodology, sources, and rubric at Real Record · About.

What the Plan Promises
Formal targets adopted in the Marysville Comprehensive Plan.
99,822 residents by 2044, 39,976 housing units by 2044, 32,926 jobs by 2044, 80% of CIC zoned industrial/manufacturing
Goals (8 total)
  • LU 1: Ensure that the City's land use vision is consistent with State, Regional and County-wide statutes, plans and policies as well as the community's vision.
  • LU 2: Proactively monitor land utilization and future expansion needs, ensuring that UGA expansion and annexation plans, and transitions are well-considered and consistent with those of Snohomish County and neighboring jurisdictions.
  • LU 3: Provide a well-defined and compelling vision for growth and development.
  • LU 4: Promote harmony and compatibility of diverse land uses through proper location and design of uses, and appropriate mitigation measures.
  • LU 5: Encourage high-quality architecture and site design that cultivates a sense of place, enhances the City's unique character, and improves the built environment.
  • LU 6: Provide adequate commercial uses to serve the City's growing population by advancing business and trade, and providing a variety of commercial opportunities that enhance the economic vitality of the community.
  • LU 7: Protect and strengthen the vitality, character, and stability of established residential neighborhoods, while providing safe, quality housing options, both ownership and rental, for households of all incomes, ages, and lifestyles.
  • LU 8: Promote the development of a variety of industrial uses, particularly in the Cascade Industrial Center (CIC), that provide living wage job opportunities for residents of the City and neighboring areas.
Stronger Policy Language (24 policies in this chapter)
  • LU 1.2: All Comprehensive Plan elements shall be internally consistent, including capital budget decisions outlined in the Capital Facilities Plan.
  • LU 1.8: Periodically review goals and policies to monitor progress towards implementation... Every five years, conduct an implementation progress report...
  • LU 3.5: Require urban level facilities, services, and utilities to be provided prior to, or concurrent with, development to ensure adequate level of service...
  • LU 8.3: Require that at least 80 percent of the property in the CIC is zoned for industrial and manufacturing uses...
Show all 24 stronger policies
The four examples above are a representative sample. The remaining 20 stronger policies are catalogued in the Real Record civic data warehouse and indexed by policy number against the adopted plan text. See how policies are scored →
Aspirational / Monitoring Language (25 policies in this chapter)
  • LU 3.9: Encourage convenience and commercial services at or near transit stations, park and rides, and major transit stops to foster a more pleasant transit experience...
  • LU 4.5: Encourage the preservation of small farms and agricultural uses by requiring adjacent new developments to provide buffers and screening...
  • LU 5.1: Encourage architectural design that enhances the overall coherence of a Neighborhood's visual character.
  • LU 5.9: Encourage day and nighttime activities, as appropriate, in the Downtown Neighborhood, Waterfront, and Mixed Use zone...
  • LU 6.3: Strengthen existing commercial centers, and promote a diversified employment.
Show all 25 aspirational / monitoring policies
The four examples above are a representative sample. The remaining 21 policies in this bucket use language like “encourage,” “support,” “consider,” or “monitor” — phrasing that does not create an enforceable commitment. See how policies are scored →

SAY vs DISCUSS: Did this come up in meetings?

Real Record has not yet indexed any Marysville briefings tagged to this chapter’s topics. Browse all Marysville council and planning briefings to see related discussions in context.

View Marysville Briefings →

SAY vs DO: Where the Money Goes

Departments related to Land Use in Marysville — what the city actually funds, year over year.

Budget analysis for this chapter is in progress. Real Record has mapped 1 Marysville department to this chapter, but the FY2006 / FY2025 line-item totals are not yet loaded into our civic data warehouse. In the meantime, browse the city-wide budget comparison on the index page.