S-05-64 comments prior to recording4.pdf
CE
ITY OF DMONDS
PLANREVIEWCOMMENTS
PLANNINGDIVISION
425.771.0220
DATE: November 14, 2008
TO: Phillip Lehn
plehn@comcast.net
FROM: Kathleen Taylor, Associate Planner
RE: S-2005-64
CORRECTIONS TO FINAL RECORD DOCUMENT
COMMENTS #4
I am glad that you were able to speak with Rob Chave. It sounds as if you may have come to a
resolution on the setback from slope issue. Let’s add to the face of the plat, “Setbacks do not vest.
Setbacks from the top and toe of the slope may be further reduced from those shown provided that a
design-specific geotechnical report is approved by the city which demonstrates compliance with the
applicable critical areas regulations”.I am hopeful this will meet your concerns that a prospective
buyer might have about developing on the site. The ‘change’ will not be considered a ‘minor
change’ or a ‘major change’; it is merely a clarification of what was going to be written on the face
of the plat, as required by the original decision. Therefore, there will be no associated fee.
In response to your comments about Edmonds Community Development Code (ECDC)
20.95.050(A)(11), it was not my intention to ignore your comments. I thought that I had responded
to your comments by explaining that a geotechnical report would be required at the time of building
permit application. ECDC 20.95.050(A)(11) which refers to an ‘exemption of geologically
hazardous areas’, also known as a ‘steep slope exemption’, was previously allowed under ECDC
20.15B. ECDC 20.15B was repealed in November 2004, at which time new critical areas regulations
were adopted. The new regulations contained in ECDC 23 are actually less restrictive, and do not
require that development within a geologically hazardous area necessitate public notification or be
processed as a formal staff decision. There is no specific application fee, and it can be processed
with the building permit, in order to speed review times for the applicant.
In any case, the Director could only approve a ‘steep slope exemption,’ if the applicant submitted a
geotechnical report demonstrating compliance with specific requirements. Approval was limited to
properties of specific soil types; therefore excluding some areas within the city. The application
required public notification, fees of approximately $700, and the processing time was a minimum of
three months.
At this time I have tentatively set-up a meeting with Rob Chave and Duane Bowman on Thursday,
11/20 at 11:00 a.m. If you wish to cancel this meeting or reschedule, please notify me at
425.771.0220 or taylor@ci.edmonds.wa.us. If I am not available, please contact Rob Chave at
425.771.0220 ext 1332 or chave@ci.edmonds.wa.us. I work a part-time schedule and will be in the
office Monday, Wednesday and Thursday of next week.
I look forward to meeting with you on Thursday.
cc: Michael Plunkett, Council President
Duane Bowman, Development Services Director
Rob Chave, Planning Manager