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2018-06-11 Conditional Use Criteria Statement.pdf Conditional Use Permit Criteria Statement Edmonds Waterfront Center June 11, 2018 The proposed Edmonds Waterfront Center (EWC) project meets the criteria of the Edmonds Community Development Code 20.05.010 in the following ways: A. The proposed use is consistent with the City of Edmonds Comprehensive Plan. Note: All quotes in text below are excerpted from the City of Edmonds Comprehensive Plan. Community Sustainability Element The new EWC aids in the implementation of Sustainability Goal F as it will contribute to the “network of parks, walkways, public art and cultural facilities and events…woven into the community’s fabric to encourage sense of play and the overall health and well-being of the community.” Community Health Goals are supported through “developing and maintaining ongoing City programs and infrastructure design to support sustainable community health” (Both the Edmonds Senior Center and City of Edmonds will offer community health programming in the new EWC that reflect virtually all components found in Community Health Goal B); Environmental Quality Element “Improvement of environmental quality” (Goal B) will be achieved through the removal of the existing bulkhead/pier supported by creosote-soaked pilings and subsequent beach restoration at the same location. Through critical areas and shoreline master program regulations compliance, the new EWC and Waterfront Redevelopment project will enhance and protect environmentally sensitive areas and shoreline environment within the city consistent with the best available science. (Goals C & D) Downtown/Waterfront Element Many of the key development strategies of the new EWC and Waterfront Redevelopment project align with Goal A.4 criteria. New natural features will be created through the beach restoration component of the project which offers direct public access to the beach, including a kayak launch, where currently no access exists due to the existing bulkhead/parking pier. As a public facility, access from Railroad Ave to the shoreline will be improved due to a new, tree- lined pedestrian path connecting the public right-of-way with the shoreline, along the north side of the new EWC – an access enhancement over existing conditions. The proposed Walkway Over Water will “link waterfront features by establishing a continuous esplanade along the shoreline.” Goal A.5 will also be met through “…the development … of significant public investments in the downtown/waterfront area, including government and cultural facilities that help draw residents and visitors to downtown.” 402 15th Avenue East Seattle WA 98112-4599 206 329 8300 206 329 5494 fax www.eworks.org Community Design Center EWC Conditional Use Criteria Statement – June 11, 2018 Page 2 Goal B.1 – The new EWC and Marine Walkway enhancements “support the continuation and compatible design of…..regional parks, beaches and walkways making up the public shoreline.” Open Space Element Through removal of the existing bulkhead/parking pier to allow for beach restoration, Open Space Goal B. criteria, “provide public access to public bodies of water” will be met. Soils & Topography Element Temporary measures will be implemented to reduce erosion during construction. (Goal B.3.a criteria will be met.) Economic Development Element Goals D.3, E.1, E.2, E.3 and E.6 all include criteria about supporting and enhancing social, cultural, artistic, recreational and other learning activities for residents, workers and visitors; supporting events and festivals that attract visitors, supporting arts/culture events and activities; supporting/enhancing nature and other outdoor events and activities that attract visitors; and supporting enhanced waterfront accessibility. The proposed EWC will include a 3,400 sq. ft. Banquet Room with stage and sound system, as well as several multipurpose and community meeting rooms. These spaces will be accessible to the public for both multigenerational activities during weekdays, as well as City of Edmonds sponsored activities during weekends and weekday evenings. These interior spaces, in addition to the restored beach with public access, all meet the criteria of these stated Economic Development goals. Community Culture and Urban Design Element Goal B criteria is met through the beach restoration, Walkway Over Water as well as the new building which will offer various types of fitness, exercise and dancing classes. The beach restoration, replacing the bulkhead parking pier, will provide direct access to the beach and Puget Sound, as well as kayak/small boat launching, and the Walkway Over Water will provide a more pedestrian friendly connection between parks along the waterfront, as well as an enhanced contiguous Marine Walkway, eliminating the current gap in the Marine Walkway, that results in pedestrians walking through parking lots to detour around the gap by way of Railroad Avenue. Goal C criteria compliance includes the funding, both public and private, that is being obtained to redevelop the existing Edmonds Senior Center and site, as well as the intention to include art in and/or on the building and incorporated into the site improvements. Due to planned programming as well as facilities that will be available to the general public, the new Edmonds Waterfront Center will provide a new cultural site to add to the list of sites mentioned in Goal D.3, which also inherently meets the criteria of Goal D.2. Goals E.2, E.3 and E.4 will all be met through the incorporation of public art into the project, the enhancement of the scenic view of Puget Sound through a wider EWC Conditional Use Criteria Statement – June 11, 2018 Page 3 view corridor than currently exists and through the environmental and urban design review processes that this project will go through. For compliance with the Urban Design Element, please see ‘Design Standards Statement’ , prepared by Environmental Works, dated June 11, 2018. Utilities Element The proposed stormwater design meets Goal A criteria by combining preservation of natural systems and engineered solutions. The design provides a net increase in vegetated surfaces, incorporates green stormwater infrastructure for water quality treatment, and moves two existing outfalls landward of their present locations. These upgrades will improve site impacts by slowing the speed of run-off, providing additional habitat, and reducing erosion at the shoreline. The project, as a whole, is applying for local, state and Federal Permits. The main points of Goal A will be met as follows: • Provide for public safety by improving functionality of the stormwater system, reducing the potential for standing water in pedestrian and vehicular use areas, shifting the curb and gutter along Railroad Ave. further east to provide more room for sidewalk, plantings, and ADA curb ramps. • Existing outfalls will be relocated further inland and will include new tide gates to help minimize property damage in the event of high tides above Mean Higher High Water (MHHW) level. • Removing the existing bulkhead from the beach and converting that space to beach habitat will help preserve and enhance critical areas. Green stormwater infrastructure (bioretention planters) will improve the water quality of run-off before it reaches the shoreline. • Implementation of bioretention planters with their reliance on natural elements and systems will help promote sustainability. • The proposed design complies with applicable local, state, and Federal regulations. Storm and Surface Water Management Goal B. Stormwater system improvements will preserve, protect, and (where feasible) restore surface water resources to provide beneficial uses to humans, fish, and wildlife. This project will maintain the existing drainage basins and discharge locations in the project areas. Storm runoff from the sidewalk on the west side of Railroad Ave will continue to be collected into the existing drainage systems in the street. Runoff from the parking lot will be collected and treated with bioretention areas and any overflow will be through an underground drainage system. The drainage systems in the street and the parking lot will discharge through existing outfalls to Puget Sound. Storm and Surface Water Management Goal C. Use of interpretive artistic elements which celebrate the environmental values of the site may be used to contribute to public education and increase an understanding of sustainability and other environmental values which help protect surface water resources. EWC Conditional Use Criteria Statement – June 11, 2018 Page 4 Capital Facilities Element The “Waterfront Redevelopment / Waterfront Walkway Completion” project is listed on the City of Edmonds’ Capital Facilities Plan 2017-2022. Execution of this project will achieve one of the goals of the Comprehensive Plan, which includes the Capital Facilities Plan as a performance measure. B. Zoning Ordinance. The proposed use, and its location, is consistent with the purposes of the zoning ordinance and the purposes of the zone district in which the use is to be located, and that the proposed use will meet all applicable requirements of the zoning ordinance. Please see ‘Land Use Criteria Statement’, prepared by Environmental Works, dated June 11, 2018. C. Not Detrimental. The use, as approved or conditionally approved, will not be significantly detrimental to the public health, safety and welfare, and to nearby private property or improvements unless the use is a public necessity. The uses of the proposed Edmonds Waterfront Center building and Waterfront Redevelopment improvements will not create any notable, substantial or material loss or harm to people or properties, nor will these proposed uses cause the relinquishment of a legal right, benefit or something of value. D. Transferability No comments applicable for purposes of this Criteria Statement.