ATTACHMENT 19 PHASE 1 Public CommentsFrom: Lynda Fireman
To: Szafran, Michele
Subject: Comments on Proposal: File No, PLN2022-0085, 605 & 611 Main Street, Edmonds, WA
Date: Tuesday, January 24, 2023 12:01:09 PM
January 24, 2023
To: Michele Q. Szafran, Planner
City of Edmonds, WA
From: Lynda Fireman
600 Bell Street, #201
Edmonds, WA 98020
RE: Comments on Proposal: File No, PLN2022-0085, 605 & 611 Main Street, Edmonds, WA
The proposed building is now even bigger than the previous. The only measurement available
shows that the building is 0.32 inches lower that the maximum allowed from the highest point
on Main Street. I was told by Kernan Lien, who is no longer there, that the height of the
previous proposed building was taken from the median elevation on Main Street. He had also
said that he would ask for an "in situ" of the building showing how it affects the 600 Bell Street
Condominium on the alley. There are no "in situ" diagrams in this proposal at all. It also
appears that:
1. it is still a rectangular box, with no outdoor space, which dwarfs the surrounding
buildings.
2. the entire lot is an impervious surface except for a few shrubs.
The building has two addresses. 605 Main is office space with a ramp down to the front door.
611 Main is the main entrance to the apartments on the first & second floors and can only be
accessed by stairs down from the east side of the building off of Main Street, to the small
"Plaza" which is the only outside space.
The only true ADA access to the first -floor apartments, other than through the elevator from
the garage, is through the office space at 605 Main. Not everyone can or will drive if they
have mobility issues and may prefer to walk.
I know from experience, as my husband has become disabled and now requires a wheelchair
to get around, that the design is not adequate for the disabled. People needing ADA
compliant suites usually have mobility issues getting around, requiring them to use canes,
walkers and/or wheelchairs. Think about how they are going to access their apartments, Main
Street, the garage, the alley and the dumpster safely.
ATTACHMENT 19
1. It is highly unlikely that the first -floor residents will be able to use the stairs.
2. Is the width of the ramp to the 605 Main Street door ADA compliant? This is the only
ramp into the building that can possibly be compliant at this time, with this design. The
entrance through the garage to the alley is not. It is too steep and it is unsafe because
there is no protected access for the disabled resident that is not in a vehicle. There is
only vehicle access.
3. Is going through 605 Main going to be the main access to the first -floor apartments in
611 Main?
4. Is there an automatic door opener to get in and out of 605 Main? If not, is there
someone available in the 605 offices to help them?
5. Is there an automatic door opener to get in and out of the door which allows access to
the first -floor apartments from the office? If not, is there someone available in the 605
Main offices to help them?
6. Will access from the 605 offices be available 24/7? If not, their only access, if not in a
vehicle (& not everyone can drive), is up the steep vehicle ramp (not ADA compliant)
into the 15-foot-wide alley (which is 12 feet wide at the 6th street entrance). This is not
safe, particularly at night?
7. Does the door in and out of the elevator room in the garage have an automatic door
opener?
8. How are they going to be able to access the dumpster?
9. Where is the pick-up/drop off for disabled residents and delivery access/loading zone
for the building on Main Street?
10. Is there an automatic door opener from and onto the Plaza? This is the main access into
611 Main. This is the only outdoor space available and the entrance is being used as
Community space. Note the very small square footage with room for two benches.
11. MOST IMPORTANT! Where are the fire escape exits for the ADA apartments? There
are stairs everywhere. In the case of a fire, the elevator will shut down. The only ramp
out is through the offices and is it locked or available 24/7 with automatic door
openers? If that is where the fire is, how do they get out?
Other issues:
1. Washington state now requires electric car charging stations in multi -family buildings.
Is there at least one? What about e-bike charging?
2. Now that there is no access to balconies and decks, what is the airflow like? Are there
fresh air returns in the apartments? Is there air conditioning?
3. Once again, there is the issue of the alley. This "15-foot" alley narrows at many
points. The 6th street entrance is 12-feet wide. Neither 6th nor 7th has any or adequate
yellow lines on either side of the alley to prevent parking so that there is visibility when
turning into or out of the alley.
4. 1 have lived at 600 Bell Street for close to 8 years and there has been continual
construction in the alley and vicinity and it takes a number of years for each project to
complete, no matter how small.
• Children and their parents walk down the alley to 6th twice every for the School bus that
parks across the access to alley. Will this remain safe?
• Two small cars, let alone bigger vehicles cannot pass. It's one thing to have garbage
pick-up or an amazon/UPS truck stop, deliver quickly and then move on. It's another to
have a moving truck park in front of my garage for at least 2-plus hours at a time, even
with notice. Our lives should not be controlled by parked moving trucks.
• Our three garages that open onto the alley should have free access and so should
everyone else that parks off the alley in the other condominiums. There needs to be a
loading zone on Main Street. As it is, Amazon/UPS trucks frequently stop in the middle
of Main Street to make deliveries blocking all traffic for more than a few minutes. A
loading zone would remedy that.
• Usually there is a set -back that can be used to provide space for construction
materials. Is this project going to use the alley for this purpose? If not, where
will it be?
• I have a garage to protect my vehicle from the elements and to prevent vandalism &
theft. It also allows me to enter, exit, load and unload safely and easily directly from
inside. I, like everyone else in the building, is somewhere in our 70's & 80's. (Many, and
it could be the majority of people living in this square block are also retired.) Carrying
our groceries in from some random parking spot on the street (& there generally is no
parking) will be difficult and unsafe.
How often and how long will we be required to park on the road? How much notice will
we get and who will they send it to. Notice by mail will not work, neither will posting it
on our doors
• Who will pay our parking fee and where will I park?
• Will the city designate parking on Bell Street close to our building for those of us that
cannot access our garages?
Respectfully submitted,
Lynda Fireman
From: Annette Border
To: Szafran, Michele
Subject: File No: PLN2022-008r
Date: Wednesday, January 18, 2023 12:37:03 PM
Has anyone on the committee ventured down my alley? (between 6th and 7th) There is an immense
amount of traffic that uses the alley. The garage entrances will be extremely hard to negotiate if the
builder is allowed to abut the alley. The height of the structure will not only affect our building but
several up the alley of natural light.
I must also mention property values will plummet. And I understand the builder is doing the same
thing on Dayton with yet another building. You seem to be only
concerned about the looks on Main Street. If that is so, why was the owner of the corner of 6th and
Main allowed to erect the ugly black mini -mall?
Why do you want a transient community in the downtown locale? An 18-unit apartment building is
not the answer. Parking here is nil and this project is so wrong.
Annette Border
600 Bell St.
Edmonds
From:
Dale Shouo
To:
Szafran, Michele
Subject:
PLN2022-0085
Date:
Tuesday, January 24, 2023 9:09:11 AM
Michele,
I reside in the property directly across the alley from the proposed development application
PLN2022-0085 and I would like to raise a couple concerns about the impact on me and other
residents at 600 Bell St.:
• First the building is overly large and boxy for the surrounding residential neighborhood.
• The setback from the alley is insufficient considering adjacent garage openings with cars
backing onto the alley.
a The exit from the basement garage creates a blind corner for traffic using the alley.
Thank you for your consideration!
Dale Shoup
600 Bell St. Apt 301
Edmonds, WA 98020
From: Clugston, Michael
To: Szafran, Michele
Subject: FW: 605/611 Main Street Proposed Development
Date: Wednesday, January 11, 2023 7:41:23 AM
FYI
From: Greg Brewer <edmondsremodel@gmail.com>
Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2023 8:25 PM
To: Planning <Planning@edmondswa.gov>; Clugston, Michael
<Michael.Clugston@edmondswa.gov>; McLaughlin, Susan <susan.mclaughlin@edmondswa.gov>
Cc: Public Comment (Council) <publiccomments@edmondswa.gov>
Subject: 605/611 Main Street Proposed Development
To the Planning Department and Architectural Design Board,
I'm writing in regards to the proposed development at 605/611 Main Street. This
property is in the BD2 with a street frontage designation. There are serious concerns
that need to be addressed:
1)The glazing in the current design is inadequate for the current zoning and needs to
be adjusted to comply.
2)The design lacks sufficient horizontal and vertical modulation. Still looks like a big
box.
3)The setbacks from the right-of-way in the front of the building and in the back are
not sufficient.
4)The public or open space is woefully inadequate for such a high use building.
5) Parking is at the bare minimum and will cause congestion on all adjacent streets.
6) There is no designated drop off and/or delivery parking. This should be studied as
it will have a significant impact on Main and 6th Street.
7) Traffic in the alley is going to be severely impacted. It should be studied.
Please consider taking design cues from the post office building, which possesses the
following design standards: setbacks, stepbacks, horizontal and vertical modulation,
additional parking and adequate public spaces. That building fits nicely into its
surroundings and is a pleasant and attractive addition to our downtown core. The
same standards should be applied to the Main Street development if we would like
the same positive result. The BD2 deserves this.
Sincerely,
Greg Brewer
From: michelle dotsch
To: Szafran, Michele
Subject: Comment on Application File No.: PLN2022-0085 at 605 and 611 Main Street
Date: Tuesday, January 24, 2023 1:51:54 PM
To: Michele Szafran, City of Edmonds Planner
Re: File No.: PLN2022-0085 at 605 and 611 Main Street, Edmonds
To Whom it May Concern:
A couple key elements of our current comprehensive plan that this
proposed 605 and 611 Main St. development in the BD2 zone is not in
compliance with, is found on pages 46-47 under:
Downtown/Waterfront Area Goal A. Promote downtown Edmonds as
an attractive setting for retail, office, entertainment and associated
businesses supported by nearby residents and the larger Edmonds
community and as a destination for visitors from throughout the region.
— this proposed development in the downtown business district 2, as it is
currently designed, is not compatible with this Policy.
A.1 Ensure that the downtown/waterfront area continues — and build
on- its function as a key identity element for the downtown community.
A.2 Enhance Edmonds' visual identity by continuing its pedestrian -
scale of downtown development, enhancing its shoreline character,
and protecting and building on the strong visual quality of the "5th and
Main" core."
Downtown/Waterfront Area Goal D: Define the downtown commercial
and retail core along streets having the strongest pedestrian links
and pedestrian -oriented design elements, while protecting downtown's
identity.
D.1 Encourage opportunities for new development and redevelopment
which reinforce Edmonds' attractive, small-town pedestrian -oriented
character. Provide incentives to encourage adaptive reuse as an
alternative to redevelopment of historic structures in order to preserve
these resources. These historic structures are a key component of the
small town character of Edmonds and its economic vitality. Height limits
that reinforce and require pedestrian -scale development are an
important part of this quality of life, and should be implemented through
zoning regulations and design guidelines."
This proposed development is not compatible, as the developer even
states in his application: "Structures on the adjacent parcels do not
support the intensity of development under the current zoning and
comprehensive plan..." Clearly this proposed building is not
pedestrian scale or protecting the strong visual quality required of the
Downtown/Waterfront Area.
The building at 605 Main Street was built in 1915 and the house
adjacent to it at 601 Main Street was built in 1891.
As some of the few remaining structures in our area built well -over 100
years ago, I refer you also to Paof the current Edmonds
comprehensive plan titled "Historic Preservation — identify and
encourage the preservation of lands, sites, and structures that have
historical or archeological significance."
As our defined Edmonds' character and charm in our historical
downtown is exactly these types of buildings that remain peppered
around the area, to desecrate one of the oldest structures in our
Downtown/Waterfront Area by towering a solid up to 40 foot
monochromatic wall as close as can be built to this house built in 1891,
does not follow these defined comprehensive plan elements and goals.
A glaring deficiency in the design of this structure is having its separate
residential units defined in the application as 611 Main inaccessible for
a disabled person from the only residential access to and from the
sidewalk/streetfront on Main Street. ADA codes require access from the
sidewalk and this separate proposed residential address does not
include this access. The only ADA access in the application is via an
elevator from the garage and up a steep drive ramp with no safe way to
have a disabled person have a separate pathway from the steep slope
causing multiple blind spots to a pedestrian along the vehicle
ingress/egress. In the case of a fire the elevator is not accessible for a
disabled person and the only way in and out to the sidewalk is the door
to the east that has no disabled escape access for that person — they
are trapped!
On the application it shows the only entrance from Main St with an ADA
ramp as the "covered entry to commercial space". Clearly this is NOT
the access to the residential units and would be clearly understood from
a disabled visitor to the residential units or the disabled resident
themself would understand this is NOT the entrance to use for the
residential 611 address to the building. There is no ADA access to and
from the sidewalk to the 611 residential address of the building.
Please review these inconsistencies of this 605 and 611 Main Street
building application in regard to the Edmonds comprehensive plan and
ADA laws. A new application should be provided for the public to
review again well before any Phase 1 ADB public hearing. It seems this
is not ready for that 1 st ADB public hearing if out of compliance as is
regarding ADA standards and would need to be reposted for comment.
This is the role of the planning department to require the applicant to fix
these obvious deficiencies in the proposed design before it goes in front
of the Architectural Design Board. If it is not the role of the planning
department of the City of Edmonds to have the developer fix missing
ADA access requirements on an application prior and is now only
the burden of the Edmonds ADB to do so on this application, please
inform me of the reasons why as a person of record on this application.
Thank you for your service to the Edmonds community,
Michelle Dotsch, Edmonds Resident
From:
Theresa Hollis
To:
Szafran, Michele
Subject:
comments on PLN2022-0085
Date:
Friday, January 6, 2023 3:45:29 PM
Ms. Szafran,
I have an interest in an aspect of the design of the mixed use building planned for 611 Main St.
It is being managed as project PLN2022-0085. Per the instructions in the public notice of
application, I am forwarding my comments.
1. The design presented to the ADB in the public hearing should include more information
about the EV charging facilities in the parking area. It is a topic of wide public interest since
the State of Washington regulation is that all new cars sold starting in 2035 should be electric,
hybrid, or hydrogen cell vehicles.
2. My specific questions are:
a) How many level 3 (fast charge) charging stations will be provided on day 1 of
building occupancy?
b) Will paid EV charging stations be available to members of the public who are doing
business in the commercial space on the ground level?
Please forward a copy of your report to the ADB when it is available.
thank you,
Theresa Hollis
Edmonds resident.
From:
Will Magnuson
To:
Szafran, Michele
Subject:
Revised Notice of Application 605/611 Main Street
Date:
Thursday, January 12, 2023 4:59:40 PM
Dear Michele Szafran,
I wish to submit the following comments regarding the proposed 605/611 Main Street
application.
1) Project lacks sufficient storefront glazing per BD design standards.
2) The desire to provide a more private office glazing area for the developer's business is not
sufficient reason for variance or deviation from BD design standards. Commercial space
should be flexible for diverse commercial occupancy and consistent with the public aspects of
other commercial storefront properties maintaining adaptability for future
commercial tenants.
3) Project lacks sufficient public setbacks from the public sidewalk and ROW.
4) Project lacks sufficient public outdoor space
5) Project lacks sufficient parking stalls for residential and commercial use. Commercial
parking stalls for office space occupancy should be clarified?
6) Project lacks sufficient design to meet Edmonds BD design standards for commercial,
residential and public interaction.
7) Project exterior is an improvement from initial concept but lacks design interest and
cohesiveness with downtown properties. It's still a box to maximize leaseable area.
Additionally I would like to be informed of future notices and application information
regarding this project.
Thank you,
Will Magnuson
Edmonds, WA
From: Will Magnuson RECEIVED
2023
To: Planning; Council; Public Comment (Council) May 98....
Subject: Main and Dayton Street diveristy and inclusion DEVELOPMENT °EP^a.ME°,SER`$
Date: Thursday, May 18, 2023 9:16:26 AM
Attachments: Dayton St cellar apartments.pdf
Main St cellar apartments.pdf
Good morning Planning Board members,
I wanted to bring to attention a couple projects being proposed for Main and Dayton Street
with the understanding that these projects will be reviewed at next week's ADB meeting.
Please see attached basement floor plans for the location of ADA units which are
essentially cellar units. I am no ADA expert but this seems to ignore the diversity and
inclusion desires of our community, not to mention limited ADA access to other residents of
the building. My understanding is that ADA standards are to ensure access to amenities for all
and I believe that access to your fellow building residents is indeed an amenity. Please
understand, my career was in real estate development and much of it mixed use. I am all for
mixed use development in our community, but these two projects presently do not meet our
definitions of community, diversity, inclusion and BD2 mixed use. The design provisions of
the ADA units and other project related issues will be brought to further attention of council
and the ADB but I wanted to ensure you were aware of what is happening with these two
projects.
Thank you,
Will Magnuson
RECEIVED
John & Jolene Smith May 182023
To: Edmonds Architectural Review Board
Re. Applicant: Phil Frisk (rep. GBH Holdings LLC)
Subject: PLN2022-0085
Is this the precedence we want to establish for Edmonds? High density housing lacking
usable outdoor space and compounding a pre-existing parking problem due to the lack
of adequate housing for occupants and guests.
Affordable housing is desperately needed throughout the greater Seattle area,
Edmonds included; however, the proposal submitted by architect Phillip Frisk,
representing property owner GBH Holdings does not appear to address this need nor
the needs of the community of Edmonds.
The proposed multiuse building with 17 designated residential units, and 2,600 square
foot dedicated office space is to be constructed within the historic Edmonds business
district; however, the structure as proposed, lacks several key elements for healthy
living. The approximate 20,000 square foot structure will overwhelm the 9,889 square
foot designated building site. Additionally, the proposed structure will lack adequate
outdoor space, adequate parking and will be devoid of a design which will blend with the
greater surrounding historic community.
The area designated for construction lies within the Downtown Business (BD2) and a
prime real estate zone of one million plus dollar homes and would garner higher versus
lower rental income thus failing to address the issue of affordable housing.
Designated parking for the structure has been limited to "... approximately 20 stalls" to
accommodate 17 residential units, 5 identified with multiple bedrooms and a 2600
square foot commercial space designated to accommodate up to 15 people.) Parking
has been an issue for both Edmonds residents and persons visiting the Edmonds area
for at least the past decade. This proposal will only serve to exacerbate a preexisting
problem. Such design flaws seem to be a hallmark of GBH Holdings as they (GBH
Holdings) blatantly disregarded this issue with the construction of another multi -
residential building on 3rd Avenue which provides no parking for tenants and guests.
Studies have repeatedly shown the positive influence a connection with nature (or the
outdoors) has on positive mental health (Nurtured by Nature, American Psychological
Association, Apr 2020, The Importance of Greenspace for Mental Health, J. Barton
2017; Greenspace is Good for Mental Health, NASA, July 16, 2019.) The structure as
proposed would open directly onto Main Street and is completely devoid of any form of
outdoor space. Lack of outdoor space would most likely negatively impact the mental
health of the occupants and would fail to foster a sense of community or community
engagement.
Furthermore, the proposed building as designed would overwhelm the space, erecting
an approximately 20,000 square foot structure onto a 9,889 square foot lot.
Additionally, the building design, as proposed, fails to blend with the historic nature of
the area.
I respectfully request the Architectural Design Board to NOT encourage said
development, nor approve the application submitted under PLN2022-0085 for
the proposed multi -use building. The proposed structure fails to address the needs of
the Edmonds community, would further exacerbate pre-existing parking problems and
potentially would adversely affect the mental health of the occupants and the greater
community. This is not the precedence we want to set for the future of historic
Edmonds.
RECEIVE
MAY 1 a 2023
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From: Levitan, David
To: Szafran, Michele; cluaston, Michael
Subject: Fwd: BD2 Zone - Main and Dayton Street projects
Date: Monday, May 22, 2023 5:14:04 PM
From: Will Magnuson <willomagnuson@gmail.com>
Sent: Monday, May 22, 2023 5:09 PM
To: Planning <planning@edmondswa.gov>; Council <council@edmondswa.gov>; Public
Comment (Council) <publiccomment@edmondswa.gov>; LaFave, Carolyn
<carolyn.lafave@edmondswa.gov>
Subject: BD2 Zone - Main and Dayton Street projects
Greetings Mayor and City Council,
I'm requesting your review and monitoring of the implementation of our recently adopted
BD2 ordinance. First some context and then a final thought.
Usually while working to create anything it's a good practice to take time to review your
work and verify the work is consistent with the intent. Please take time to review the Main
and Dayton street apartment projects presently proposed in our downtown BD2 zone.
These two projects are proposed for review after implementation of recent BD2 zoning
legislation with the Dayton Street project permit application being quickly accepted just prior
to adoption of the new zoning. These projects will also be reviewed at the ADB meeting this
Thursday evening with public comment encouraged. I encourage the council to review both
project proposals to appreciate the effectiveness of the BD2 zoning legislation to meet our
goals and aspirations for the community.
I understand it's election season for many of you including other fellow candidates and you
may be hesitant to speak out for the community with your own thoughts regarding the Main
and Dayton street projects. However, these are the very first two projects proposed after
recently updating the BD2 ordinance and they little reflect the goals that we sought to
achieve in creating a more diverse, inclusive, walkable and welcoming environment for
downtown as well as all of our core communities and neighborhoods including hwy 99.
I hope you will look back and review the BD2 zoning development code legislation that
apparently has created opportunities for some developers who wish to circumvent the
needs and wishes of our community.
Thank you,
Will Magnuson
From:
cbruce-cmcCa)oeak.org
To:
Szafran, Michele
Cc:
cindy Bruce; Steve Beck
Subject:
Properties at 611 and 605 Main Street
Date:
Thursday, June 1, 2023 1:12:35 PM
To Whom This May Concern:
I'm writing with concerns from the Sea Breeze Condominium population at 633 Main
Street with regards to the proposed three-story mixed -use building to be built after the
demolishment of a home and an office building on the properties at 605 and 611
Main.
have been out of town and perhaps, with deadlines for public hearings past, this
letter may be of no consequence as far as decisions regarding the proposed plans for
this space. Nevertheless the owners feel that our voices should be heard with regards
to our concerns if construction and demolition is to go as planned:
1. Our street is the entrance to the Edmonds Bowl. We pride ourselves on being
the first street many visitors see as they head towards the downtown area now
teeming with shops, places to eat, see a movie, rest on a bench and listen to a street
musician, enjoy one of our many art galleries, buy a book, grab a coffee, or order a
pizza on the way to the waterfront to enjoy the beach and perhaps catch a ride on the
ferry and back. Our street's appearance matters. Our street's safety matters. The
accessibility for parking for visitors matters. Just the welcoming "look" is something
we take pride in. Will this apartment house/mix reflect some artful appreciation of our
street or will it be a stark office building with floors above for renters and/or owners
with a lack of the ambience we hope to maintain?
2. The alley concerns all of us. It is a walking place for many who go down to the
Saturday Market and all of the amenities downtown. It is a safe haven for families
traveling down the hill with their dogs or strollers or toddlers and a safe, open alley to
pick up their children as the school bus drops them off. With all of the people parking
along Main Street on a busy morning, the alley is often a place for trucks to pull in to
deliver appliances or furniture, take away some large items from a garage to give to a
charity, or stop long enough to drop off some necessary items for a homeowner. The
space is important. We all respect it. Truck drivers and delivery people make certain
the alley is always back open as quickly as possible so all of us can back our cars out
and go up or down the hill. Will the underground garage with people coming and
going still maintain that safety and pleasurable walking ability that we have now?
3. 1 could say much more about all of the businesses that were forced to leave
and take their clients with them from building 611 and the historic value of that
charming craftsman house next door at 605. 1 could also say that despite all of the
traffic that you can imagine going up and down Main most of the time, all of us along
this street pride ourselves on a certain "quietness" and peacefulness and some of
that may be due to a library across the street that encourages people who like to read
and our hope that when it is finally opened again there will be ample parking spaces
and respect for those who come to use it. Yes, more to say, but I trust this has gotten
some concerns across to you.
Thank you,
Cindy Bruce Secretary, Sea Breeze Condominium