101409-sidewalk waiver memo to file.pdfDate:
October 14, 2009
To:
File
From:
Rob English, City Engineer
Subject:
Sidewalk Construction, 9921 Water Street,
2 -lot Short Plat PLN20090043
Attachment: Ron Johnson e-mail dated September 4, 2009
Ron Johnson has requested a waiver from the requirement to construct
sidewalks as a condition of short plat development of 9921 Water Street.
Pursuant to ECDC 18.90.030, Table of Sidewalk Standards, RS -12 zoning
(which 9921 Water Street is) does not require sidewalks, except as shown in the
Comprehensive Sidewalk Plan. It is, however, stated to be City policy that
sidewalks will be required on all streets over 300 feet in length (which Water
Street is).
Neither the latest adopted Transportation Plan nor the draft update to the
Transportation Plan indicates sidewalks/walkways required on the portion of
Water Street where the property in question is located.
The situation at 9921 Water Street does not meet any other criteria requiring
construction of sidewalks, as set forth in the 2002 Transporation Element -
Sidewalk Construction Policy. There are presently no existing sidewalks on
Water Street. Water Street is not designated as a bikeway in the latest City
Bikeway Plan. The property in question is not within 1000 feet of a park, school,
church, shop pinglcommercial establishment, or public facility.
In this specific situation, at this location, application of the policy that sidewalks
be provided on all streets over 300 feet is clearly contrary to the desires and
intent of the City Walkway Plan and not consistent with the character of the
surrounding neighborhood. It is clearly not in the best interest of the City to
install a sidewalk at this location.
City of • • .
Community Services Department
Engineering Division
Therefore, sidewalk construction will not be required as a condition of short plat
development at 9921 Water Street.
In addition, pursuant to the City Sidewalk Construction Policy, when it is
determined that sidewalks will not be required, payment in -lieu of construction
will also not be required.
Page 1 of 1
McConnell, Jeanie
From: Ronald Johnson [ronmaile@verizon.net]
Sent: Friday, September 04, 2009 12:34 PM
To: Machuga, Jen
Cc: McConnell, Jeanie
Subject: MacDonald Short Plat Waiver Request
This is formal request for the Sidewalk Waiver for this short plat.
Please consider the following items in your decision .... Thankyou
Our site is within an area of Edmonds that does not have any other sidewalks that exist within 1000'
Our site is located on a dead end street.
Our site has at it's West end a steep slope (definition from the City of Edmonds) which would be the termination of
the sidewalk if it were constructed. In our opinion, the sidewalk has no destination for a pedestrian to access
safety.
Thankyou for your considerations.
Ron Johnson Architect for the MacDonald Short Plat
9/16/2009
CYI`Y OF EDMONDS TRANSPORx:.PION ELEMENT -2002 UPDATE
located in the Downtown, The landscape buffers must not limit sight
distances.
Policy 1.14 Require development to provide sidewalks along local street frontages to
complete missing links, increase pedestrian safety, and provide linkages
to key destinations. The preferred pedestrian improvements along local
streets include curb, gutter and sidewalk, or, alternatively, pedestrian
paths where appropriate.
Policy 1.15 In new development, the City should encourage developers to construct
sidewalks that connect the development to transit routes.
Objective 2: Bicycle Facilities. Safe bicycle facilities must be an integral part of the
City's street and recreation plans, in accordance with the following policies, and
established in the City of Edmonds 2000 Comprehensive Bicycle Plan, as included as
APPENDIX D in this Transportation Plan.
Policy 2.1 The City should encourage and promote more bicycling activity.
Policy 2:2 Bicycle facilities should be separated from sidewalks in congested areas.
Policy 2.3 The City should seek safer opportunities for those who bicycle in
Edmonds.
Policy 2.4 Improved bicycle facilities should be provided near schools.
Policy 2.5 Improved bicycle facilities should be provided near commercial districts.
Policy 2.6 Irnproved bicycle facilities should be provided for access to and from
transit facilities.
Policy 2.7 Connections to bicycling opportunities in other jurisdictions should be
provided.
Policy 2.8 Where possible, bicycle lanes should be provided on arterial streets to
encourage the use of bicycles for transportation and recreation purposes.
Policy 2.9 Bicycle routes should be indicated by signage.
Policy 2.10 Bicycle racks or bicycle lockers should be provided in commercial and
recreational areas.
Policy 2.11 Provision must be made for,maintenance of City bicycle facilities.
Objective 3: Sidewalk Construction Policy. Clarify when sidewalks should be
constructed as a condition of development.
Policy 3.1 The City Engineer will determine whether sidewalks are required as a
condition of approval for development projects. If they are required, the
developer shall construct sidewalks along the street(s) fronted by the
project, including new streets constructed as part of the development. If
Goals, Objectives & Policies Page xvii
y CITY OF EDMONDS TRANSPORTATION ELEMENT — 2002 UPDATE
one or a combination of the following criteria is applicable to a project,
sidewalks will be required as a condition of approval:
a. Sidewalks are required by ECDC 18.90.030;
b. Any sidewalks presently exist within 1,000 feet of the proposed
development project on the street(s) on which the project fronts;
c. The City Walkway Plan indicates sidewalks/walkways are proposed
at the project location;
d. The most recent version of the Bikeway Comprehensive Plan
indicates a designated or proposed designated bikeway at the project
location; and/or
e. The project is in close proximity (within 1,000 feet) and on a street
leading to facilities such as parks, schools, churches,
shopping/commercial establishments, etc., which will result in
pedestrian traffic.
Policy 3.2 Sidewalks will not be required as a condition of approval if.
a. The City Engineer makes an affirmative determination that none of
the above criteria apply to the project, and that sidewalks are not
necessary and will not be necessary for the foreseeable future,
and/or
b. The City Engineer, with the approval of the Planning Manager,
determines that, in accordance with ECDC 18.90.030.B, special
circumstances exist related to topography, insufficient right-of-way,
or other factors making construction of sidewalks economically
unfeasible or physically impossible.
Policy 3.3 When the City Engineer determines that sidewalks are required as a
condition of approval, payment -in -lieu of construction will be allowed
only if:
a. The City's six-year Capital Improvement Program (CIP) includes a
specifically identified City project for sidewalks at the location of
the development project, and
b. The City Engineer determines that it will be in the best interest of
the City to construct sidewalks at the development project location
as part of and concurrently with the City's identified capital project.
1.5.25.030 PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION
A. General. The City of Edmonds is well served by public transportation providers including
Community Transit, Sound Transit, King County Metro Transit, Amtrak, Washington State
Ferries and the Edmonds School District. Approximately 90 percent of Edmonds residents can
access public transportation within %z mile of their home. Transportation options include, bus,
van, ferry, and rail.
Public transportation provides a range of benefits for our community:
Goads, Objectives & Policies Page xviii