00663difficult if not impossible to expect the Owner to simply
proceed with the project where it was left off some two years
earlier without substantial lead time to pick up the pieces
and get started.
We have been advised by letter from the City of Edmonds
Community Development Department that the ordinance approving
the PRD became effective on July 30, 1979 and that, accord-
ingly, the project -must be completed within two years from
the effective date. We were, therefore, advised that the
projectmustbe completed before July 30, 1981, or an appli-
cation for an extension must be.filed.prior to that date.
This application requests an additional two-year extension
based upon the highly unusual circumstances we have outlined.
The extensive challenge to the Council's approval has been
costly and has resulted in a substantial loss of time. To
have proceeded in view of the pending litigation would have
posed a serious, unacceptable financial risk to the Owner.
We feel strongly these circumstances justify an extension of
the time for completion of the PRD, particularly in view of
the fact that no change has been made in the design concept.