Ordinance 31120006.150.147
PAO /nkr
03/19/96
R: 08/21 /96gjz /ldh/nkr
R:08/28/96gjz
R:09 /11 /96gjz
R:09 /12 /96pao
R:09/19/96
ORDINANCE NO. 3112
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS,
WASHINGTON, AMENDING TITLE 20 OF THE EDMONDS
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CODE AS REQUIRED BY
THE WASHINGTON STATE REGULATORY REFORM ACT,
CHAPTER 36.70B RCW, IN ORDER TO IMPOSE GENERAL
REQUIREMENTS FOR A COMPLETE APPLICATION; TO
ALLOW FOR OPTIONAL CONSOLIDATED PERMIT
PROCESSING; TO SET AN EXPEDITED TIME FRAME FOR
THE ISSUANCE OF LAND USE PERMITS; TO LIMIT LAND
USE PUBLIC HEARINGS AND APPEALS; TO EXPAND
PUBLIC NOTICE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROCESSING
OF LAND USE APPLICATIONS; TO AMEND JUDICIAL
APPEAL PROCEDURES TO CONFORM WITH THE
EXPEDITED APPEAL REQUIREMENTS OF CHAPTER RCW
36.70C; AND ALSO AMENDING PUBLIC HEARING
PROCEDURES TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS
OF THE APPEARANCE OF FAIRNESS DOCTRINE,
CHAPTER 42.36 RCW; AND FIXING A TIME WHEN THE
SAME SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE.
WHEREAS, the Regulatory Reform Act (Chapter 36.70B RCW) requires that the
City establish a permit review process which, among other things: (1) provides for the
integrated and consolidated' review and decision on two or more project permits relating to a
proposed act; (2) combines the environmental review process both procedural and substantive,
with a procedure for the review of project permits; (3) provides for no more than one open
hearing and one closed record appeal on such permits, except for the appeal of a determination
142427.10 -1-
of significance; and (4) provides for the issuance of the City's final decision within 120 days
after submission of a complete application; and
WHEREAS, the City of Edmonds has adopted Edmonds Ordinance No. 3078, a
six month interim ordinance that complied with the requirements of the Regulatory Reform Act;
and
WHEREAS, during this six month period the City of Edmonds Planning Board
has reviewed and modified the interim ordinance with the input of City staff; and
WHEREAS, the Edmonds Planning Board recommends that the Edmonds City
Council adopt the following provisions; and
WHEREAS, all staff decisions permitted by the Edmonds Community
Development Code (ECDC) and Edmonds City Code (ECC) are exempt from most Regulatory
Reform requirements as identified in ECDC 20.90.005(8)(4) because staff decisions can be
rendered in a brief period of time and the requirements of Regulatory Reform will only serve
to lengthen the staff decision making process; and
WHEREAS, street vacations are also exempt from most of the Regulatory Reform
requirements as identified in ECDC 20.90.005(B)(5) because state law requires the City Council
to hold public hearings on street vacations and this state law requirement is not compatible with
the project consolidation provisions incorporated in this ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the legislative findings in Edmonds Ordinance No. 3092 provide
justification for the other exemptions identified in ECDC 20.90.005(B); and
WHEREAS, amendments to public hearing procedures are necessary in order to
insure ensure fair hearings since Regulatory Reform has required the City Council to delegate
its review authority to unelected decision making bodies, NOW, THEREFORE,
142427.10 -2-
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, DO
ORDAIN AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. ECDC 20.10.020 is hereby amended as follows:
20.10.020 APPROVAL REQUIRED
A. Development. No person shall start any development, or
substantially change any development, until the
Architectural Design Board (ADB) or the Hearing
Examiner has approved the proposed development or
change, except where this Code expressly delegates such
approval to the staff. Unless staff determines that the
project creates a significant change in the design
characteristics of the development, the following
development projects are exempt from ADB and Hearing
Examiner review and subject to approval of staff using the
criteria of this chapter:
1. Remodels of buildings that do not result in a
changing of the building footprint and that involve
materials, forms and repetition of elements
consistent with the existing building design.
2. Re- striping and other minor changes to parking lots
that do not result in changes to landscaping, a
reconfiguration of the lot or the creation of five or
more new parking spaces.
3. Fences that do not require a separate development
permit.
B. Permits. No city permit or approval shall be issued for any
development until the ADB or the Hearing Examiner has
approved the proposed development, except where this
Code expressly delegates such approval to the staff.
Section 2. ECDC 20.10.050 is hereby amended as follows:
20.10.050 REVIEW PROCEDURE
A. Review. The staff shall review the application as provided
in Section 20.95.030, and the Director of Community
Services shall schedule the item for a meeting of the ADB.
142427.10 -3-
The role of the ADB shall be dependant upon the nature of
the application as follows:
1. The ADB shall conduct a public hearing for the
following types of applications:
a. Applications that are not subject to project
consolidation as required by ECDC
20.90.010(B)(2).
b. Applications that are subject to project
consolidation as required by ECDC
20.90.010(B)(2) but in which the ADB
serves as the sole decision making authority.
C. Applications that are subject to project
consolidation as required by ECDC
20.90.010(B)(2) but in which all decision
making authority is exercised both by staff
pursuant to . Chapters 20.10 and , 20.12
ECDC and by the ADB. The ADB shall act
in the place of the staff for these types of
applications.
2. The ADB shall review a proposed development at
a public meeting and make a recommendation to the
Hearing Examiner to approve, conditionally
approve, or deny the proposal for projects subject
to project consolidation as required by ECDC
20.90.010(B)(2) that are not subject to a public
hearing by the ADB as required by ECDC
20.10.050(1). The Hearing Examiner shall
subsequently hold a public hearing on the proposal.
3. The ADB under ECDC 20.10.050(1) and the
Hearing Examiner under ECDC 20.10.050(2) shall
approve, conditionally approve, or deny the
proposal. The ADB or Hearing Examiner may
continue its public hearing on the proposal to allow
changes to the proposal, or to obtain information
needed to properly review the proposal. See ECC
3.13.090 regarding exemptions from review
required by this chapter.
4. Notwithstanding the requirements of this section to
the contrary, the action of the ADB under ECDC
142427.10 -4-
20.10.050(1) and the Hearing Examiner under
ECDC 20.10.050(2) on a development in which the
City serves as the applicant shall be a
recommendation to the City Council.
B. Notice. Public notice by mail, posting or newspaper
publication shall not be required except for applications that
require an environmental impact statement, in which case
notice of the hearing shall be as required by Chapter 20.91
ECDC.
C. Bond. The ADB may require that a bond be posted under
Chapter 17.10 to ensure the satisfactory installation of site
improvements.
Section 3. ECDC 20.10.080 is hereby amended as follows:
20.10.080 APPEALS
A. All design..review decisions of .the Hearing Examiner are
appealable to the City Council as provided in Section
20.105.040(B) - (E).
B. All design review decisions of the ADB are appealable to
the City Council as provided in ECDC 20.105.040(B) - (E)
except that all references to the Hearing Examiner in
ECDC 20.105.040(B) - (E) shall be construed as references
to the ADB.
C. Persons entitled to appeal are (1) the applicant; (2) anyone
who has submitted a written document to the City of
Edmonds concerning the application prior to or at the
hearing identified in Section 20.10.050; or (3) anyone
testifying on the application at the hearing identified in
Section 20.10.050.
Section 4. ECDC 20.10.090 is hereby amended as follows:
20.10.090 LAPSE OF APPROVAL
A. Time Limit. Unless the owner submits a fully completed
building permit application necessary to bring about the
approved alterations, or if no building permit application is
required, substantially commences the use allowed within
18 months from the date of approval, ADB or Hearing
142427.10 -5-
Examiner approval, shall expire and be null and void,
unless the owner files a fully completed application for an
extension of time prior to the expiration date. For the
purposes of this section the date of approval shall be the
date on which the ADB's or Hearing Examiner's minutes
or other method of conveying the final written decision of
the ADB or Hearing Examiner as adopted are mailed to the
applicant. In the event of appeal, the date of approval shall
be the date on which a final decision is entered by the City
Council or court of competent jurisdiction.
B. Time Extension.
1. Application. The applicant may apply for a one
time extension of up to one (1) year by submitting
a letter, prior to the date that approval lapses, to the
Planning Division along with any other
supplemental documentation which the Planning
Manager may require, which demonstrates that
he /she is making substantial progress relative to the
conditions ,adopted by the ADB or Hearing
Examiner and that circumstances are beyond his /her
control preventing timely compliance. In the event
of an appeal, the one (1) year extension shall
commence from the date a final decision is entered
in favor of such extension.
2. Fee. The applicant shall include with the letter of
request such fee as is established by ordinance. No
application shall be complete unless accompanied by
the required fee.
3. Review of Extension Application. An application
for an extension shall be reviewed by the Planning
Official as provided in Section 20.95.050 (Staff
Decision - Notice Required).
Section 5. The title to Chapter 20.12 ECDC is hereby amended as follows:
142427.10 -6-
LANDSCAPING REQ"REMENTS
Section 6. ECDC 20.12.000 is hereby amended as follows:
20.12.000 SCOPE
The landscape requirements found in this chapter are intended for
use by city staff, the Architectural Design Board (ADB) and the
Hearing Examiner, in reviewing projects, as set forth in Chapter
20.10.010 ECDC. The ADB and Hearing Examiner shall be
allowed to interpret and modify the requirements contained herein,
provided such modification is consistent with the purposes found
in Chapter 20.10.000 ECDC.
Section 7. ECDC 20.15A.240(B) -(E) is hereby amended as follows:
B. All appeals filed pursuant to this section must be filed in
writing with the Director of Community Services within 14
calendar days of the date of the decision appealed from.
C. On receipt of a timely written notice of appeal, the
Director of Community Services shall advise the Hearing
Examiner of the pendency of the appeal and request that a
date for considering the appeal be established. The
decision of the hearing examiner shall be final and shall not
be appealable to the City Council.
D. Appeals shall be governed by the procedures specified in
Chapter 20.105 ECDC.
E. All relevant evidence shall be received during the hearing
of the appeal. The procedural determination by the City's
responsible official shall carry substantial weight in any
appeal proceeding.
Section 8. ECDC 20.15B.170(C) is hereby amended as follows:
C. Appeals. Any decision to require a Critical Areas study
pursuant to this Chapter may be appealed to the Hearing
Examiner pursuant to Chapter ECDC 20.105. Any
decision to approve, condition or deny a development
proposal based on the requirements of this title may be
appealed in accordance with the appeal procedures and
standards applicable to the subject development permit or
approval.
142427.10 -7-
Section 9. ECDC 20.18.020 is hereby amended as follows:
20.18.020 PRE - HEARING REQUIREMENTS
A. Application. In addition to the information required by
Section 20.95.010, the applicant for a conditional use
permit for a group home shall provide a statement of the
impacts that would result from the establishment and
operation of the proposed facility, including:
1. A complete description of the facility, its clients and
operators, and its proposed operating conditions.
2. An analysis of the need for the proposed facility in
the City.
3. A financial statement for the proposed facility.
4. Further information and analysis as required by the
Director of Community Services to completely
disclose the impacts of the proposed facilities.
The Director of Community Services shall review the
statement for accuracy, completeness and objectivity before
releasing it to the public. The hearing on the conditional
use permit shall not be held until 30 days after the Director
issues the statement.
B. Neighborhood Meeting. The Director of Community
Services (or designee) shall hold a public meeting with any
applicant for a group home or other residential social
service facility and residents of the neighborhood. Notice
of the meeting shall be given as required in Section
20.91.010, except that the distance specified in that section
shall be changed to 600 feet. The meeting shall be held at
least 10 days after the issuance of the statement required
above but no more than 10 days before the conditional use
permit hearing.
Section 10. ECDC 20.19.010 is hereby amended as follows:
20.19.010 CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT REQUIRED
When a conditional use permit is required by the provisions of
Title 16 relating to the zoning districts, conditional use permit
applications for operation of a mini day care shall be processed in
142427.10 -8-
accordance with procedures of section 20.95.050 (Staff Decision -
Notice Required) utilizing the criteria set forth in this chapter. In
addition to the specific criteria set forth herein, the staff and
Hearing Examiner on appeal, shall also review the application
under the criteria and required findings set forth in chapter 20.05
relating to conditional use permits in order to establish that the
proposed facility is not deleterious to the immediately surrounding
neighborhood nor constitutes a public nuisance. The Director of
Community Services or designee, or the hearing examiner on
appeal, may impose reasonable conditions on the approval of the
conditional use permit for mini day care facilities in order to
ensure that the criteria of Section 20.19.020 are met and that the
facility is in harmony with the surrounding neighborhood.
Section 11. ECDC 20.35.020(B) is hereby amended as follows:
B. Pre- Application Meeting. If the project contains unusual
or severe environmental problems or unusual compatibility
problems with adjoining properties, the Director of
Community Services . or _ the applicant may require that a
public pre- application meeting be held on the proposal.
This meeting will allow immediate public response to the
proposal as a concept in rough sketch form. The staff may
make general recommendations to the applicant.
Section 12. ECDC 20.35.120(A) is hereby amended as follows:
A. Council Review. If a condition of approval is violated or
not met within the time set for its completion, or provisions
of this code are violated, the Council may, either on
recommendation of the Community Services Department,
or on its own motion, set a public hearing, under Chapter
20.91 ECDC, upon the question of the revocation of the
approval and any permits granted pursuant to it. After a
public hearing the Council, by ordinance, may revoke the
approval and any other permits, or may change the terms
of the approval. Nothing in this section shall limit the
revocation of building permits, issuance of stop orders or
other similar procedures authorized by this code.
142427.10 -9-
Section 13. ECDC 20.35.120(C) is hereby amended as follows:
C. Extension of Approval.
1. First extension: The Director of Community
Services, pursuant to the procedures of Section
20.95.050 (Staff Decision - Notice Required) may
grant a one -year extension for completion of an
approved project, upon a finding that the applicant
has made a diligent, good faith effort to complete
the project within two years of the approval.
2. Subsequent Extensions: The Hearing Examiner,
pursuant to Section 20.100.010(B) of this code, may
grant one further extension, not to exceed two years
after an extension granted by the Director of
Community Services, provided the following
findings are made:
a. The project has not been completed due to
causes beyond the applicant's control;
b. The applicant has shown a diligent good
faith effort to complete the project within
the time previously allotted; and
C. The project can be built under the ECDC in
effect at the time of the extension request
without significant changes in the design
originally approved.
Section 14. ECDC 20.40.030 is hereby amended as follows:
20.40.030 NOTICE
Notice of rezone hearings (and text change) before the Planning
Board shall be the same as set forth for proposed amendments to
the Comprehensive Plan in Section 20.00.020 for newspaper
publication, and pursuant to Section 20.91.010.
142427.10 -10-
Section 15. ECDC 20.55.020 is hereby amended as follows:
20.55.020 NOTICE
A. Publication. In addition to the requirements of Chapter
20.91 ECDC, notice shall be given by publication in a
newspaper of general circulation in Edmonds at least once
a week on the same day of the week for two consecutive
weeks. Except as specially provided hereafter in Section
20.55.025, the last day of publication shall be at least 30
days before the first public hearing on the permit.
B. Contents. Except as specially provided hereafter in Section
20.55.025, and in addition to the requirements of Chapter
20.91 ECDC, the notice of the Hearing Examiner shall
state that before the first pubic hearing, any person may
request a copy of the final action on the permit.. The notice
shall also contain all information required by WAC 173 -14-
070, or as the same may be amended.
Section 16. ECDC 20.60.020(A) is hereby amended as follows:
A. Staff Approval. The Planning Manager, or designee, shall
review all applications for sign permits under this chapter,
and determine whether the information provided is
adequate, to enable full evaluation of the proposed sign.
1. The Planning Manager or designee may refer
certain applications to the Architectural Design
Board where the proposed sign contains one of the
following characteristics:
a. The sign is to be freestanding, detached
from any buildings or structures;
b. The sign will be lighted, or will use light -
reflective material; or
C. The proposed sign will be a wall graphic as
defined by this chapter.
2. The Planning Manager or designee shall refer
certain applications to the Architectural Design
Board where the proposed sign contains one of the
following characteristics:
142427.10 -11-
a. The sign exceeds the maximum height, area
and /or location standards prescribed by this
chapter.
b. More than two signs are proposed by the
applicant for the site, or the total number of
approved signs for that applicant would
exceed two signs.
C. The proposed sign would be an identification
structure as defined by this Chapter.
d. The proposed sign would require a Street
Use Permit under this Code.
e. The proposed sign would be obtrusive,
garish or otherwise not consistent with the
surrounding neighborhood and may have a
significant impact on the community.
3. Notwithstanding the other, provisions of this
subsection, sign permit applications shall not be
submitted to the Architectural Design Board if the
proposed sign replaces a previous sign and there is
no significant change in the general characteristics
of the sign except for content; said general
characteristics include but are not limited to size,
shape, lighting, location and supporting structure.
The permit applications for these signs shall be
processed and subject to review in the same manner
as other sign permit applications that are not
required to be submitted to the Architectural Design
Board.
Permits for all other signs may be approved, conditionally
approved or denied by the Planning Manager, or designee,
using the criteria set forth in Chapter, 20.10 and the
provisions of this chapter and subject to appeal to the
Hearing Examiner pursuant to the procedure established in
Section 20.105 for appeal of staff decisions.
142427.10 -12-
Section 17. ECDC 20.75.065(B) is hereby amended as follows:
B. Notice of Hearing.
1. When the Director of Community Services has
accepted a subdivision for filing, he shall set a date
of hearing, and give notice of the hearing as
provided in ECDC 20.91.010, and by the following
for a Formal Subdivision:
a. One publication in a newspaper of general
circulation within Snohomish County
pursuant to Chapter 1.03 ECC and posting
notice in three conspicuous places within
300 feet of any portion of the boundary of
the proposed Formal Subdivision not less
than 10 days prior to the hearing.
b. Mailing to a city if a proposed Formal
Subdivision is,adjacent or within one mile of
the city's boundary, or the proposed
subdivision would use the utilities of the
city.
C. Mailing to the county if a proposed Formal
Subdivision is adjacent to the city- county
boundary.
d. Mailing to the State Department of
Highways if a proposed Formal Subdivision
is adjacent to a state highway right -of -way.
e. The notice must include a legal description
and either a vicinity location sketch or a
location description in nonlegal language.
Section 18. ECDC 20.75.065(E) is hereby amended as follows:
E. Short Subdivisions - Staff Review. The Director of
Community Services shall review a short subdivision as
provided in Section 20.95.050 (Staff Decision - Notice
Required) .
142427.10 -13-
Section 19. ECDC 20.75.065(F) is hereby amended as follows:
F. Lot Line Adjustment - Staff Review. The Director of
Community Services shall review a lot line adjustment as
provided in Section 20.95.050 (Staff Decision - Notice
Required) .
Section 20. ECDC 20.80.020(B) is hereby amended as follows:
B. Notice. See ECDC 20.91.010.
Section 21. Chapter 20.90 ECDC is hereby amended as follows:
CHAPTER 20.90 APPLICATION PROCESS
20.90.000 SCOPE
This chapter sets forth the processes for reviewing project permit
applications required by ECDC Titles 15 through 20. Individual
portions of the ECDC may set additional processing requirements.
The requirements of this chapter shall supersede any conflicting
requirements of the ECDC to the extent permitted by state law.
20.90.005 EXEMPTIONS.
A. Partial Exemptions.
The following project permit applications shall be exempt from
ECDC 20.90.010(B) (project consolidation), ECDC 20.90.010(E)
(notice of application), and ECDC 20.90.010(F)(3) (notice of
decision) :
1. Any and all project permit applications required by
any provision of ECDC Title 18 or 19 not
otherwise exempted by this section.
2. Lot line adjustments as identified in ECDC
20.75.050.
3. Building permit applications as identified in Chapter
19.00 ECDC that are categorically exempt from
environmental review under chapter 43.21C RCW,
or for which environmental review has been
completed in connection with other project permit
applications.
142427.10 -14-
4. Architectural Design Board approvals that are categorically exempt
from environmental review under chapter 43.21C RCW.
B. Complete Exemptions.
In addition to the regulations listed under ECDC 20.90.005(A)
above, the following permits shall also be exempt from ECDC
20.90. 010(D) (letter of completeness), ECDC 20.90.010(F)(1)(fmal
decision deadline) and ECDC 20.90.010(H)(appeal deadlines).
1. Building permits subject to earth subsidence and
landslide review as identified in Chapter 19.05
ECDC.
2. Building permits submitted as part of an augmented
application for architectural design review as
identified in Chapter 19.00.120 ECDC.
3. Building permits subject to environmental review
under . chapter 43.21C _ .RCW for, which
environmental review has not been completed in
connection with other project permits.
4. Any staff decisions authorized by the ECDC or
ECC.
5. Street vacations as identified in Chapter 20.70
ECDC.
20.90.010 APPLICATION PROCEDURES
A. Application.
All applications for development permits or other City approvals
required by the ECDC shall be submitted on forms provided by the
City of Edmonds. All such applications shall include the
information required by the appropriate chapter of the ECDC.
The Director of Community Services or his /her designee may
require such additional information as is reasonably necessary to
fully and properly evaluate the proposal.
142427.10 -15-
B. Project Consolidation.
1. The City shall consolidate the review of project
permit applications in order to integrate and avoid
duplication or needless delay in the permitting and
environmental review process. Applications
consolidated in this way shall be considered to be
one development project for the purposes of this
Chapter. The City is also authorized to consolidate
project review with the permit review of other
government agencies.
2. Decisions and hearings shall be scheduled so that no
more than one open record public hearing is held on
all project permit applications received on a
development project and no more than one closed
record appeal hearing is held on the same project.
Projects that do not involve an open record
predecision hearing can be subject to an open
record appeal.
a. To the extent, consistent with state law,
when an open record public hearing is
required by the ECDC before more than one
decision making body for a consolidated
project, the decision making body with the
broadest decision making authority as
determined by the Planning Manager shall
conduct the public hearing and shall have
sole authority to render a final decision on
the application.
b. To the extent consistent with state law,
when a closed record appeal is required by
the ECDC to be conducted by more than
one decision making body for a consolidated
project, the decision making body with the
highest appeal authority as determined by
the Planning Manager shall conduct the
appeal and shall have sole authority to
render a final decision on the appeal.
C. To the extent consistent with state law,
when consolidated project permit
applications are required by the ECDC to
include both open record predecision
142427.10 -16-
hearings and open record appeals, the appeal
shall be a closed record appeal.
C. Preapplication Meetings.
Applicants for development permits are encouraged to participate
in an informal meeting prior to the formal submission of
application(s) for City review and approval. The purpose of the
meeting is to discuss, in general terms, the proposed development,
City standards, policies and design guidelines, the permit process
and approvals that will be required.
D. Letter of Completeness
1. Within twenty -eight (28) calendar days of receiving
a date - stamped project permit application, the City
shall review the application and provide the
applicant(s) with a written statement that the
application is complete or incomplete.
2. A project permit application shall be declared
complete only when it contains all of the following
materials:
a. A fully completed, signed and acknowledged
project permit application and applicable
review fees.
b. A fully completed, signed and acknowledged
environmental checklist for projects subject
to review under the State Environmental
Policy Act, chapter 43.21C RCW.
C. A fully completed, signed and acknowledged
critical areas checklist for projects subject to
the Critical Areas Ordinance of the City of
Edmonds (Chapter 20.15B ECDC).
d. The information specified for individual
permit approvals under the appropriate
chapters of the ECDC.
e. Any supplemental information or special
studies identified by the Director of
Community Services as authorized by
Section 20.90.010(A)(1) of this Chapter.
142427.10 -17-
3. For applications determined to be incomplete, the
City shall identify, in writing, the specific
requirements or information necessary to complete
the application. Upon submittal of the specified
information, the City shall, within 14 calendar days,
issue a letter of completeness or identify what
additional information is required.
E. Notice of Application
1. The City shall issue a Notice of , Development
Application within 14 calendar days of issuing a
letter of completeness under Chapter 20.90.010(D).
2. Notice of Development Application. The Notice of
Development Application required by this
subsection shall include but not be limited to the
following:
a. Name of the applicant.,
b. Date of application, date of the letter of
completeness, and date of notice of
development application.
C. Location of the project, including vicinity
map.
d. Project description.
e. Requested permits and approvals, and
identification of other permits not included
in the application to the extent known by the
City.
f. Requested studies.
g. Location of application materials for public
review, including any existing or required
environmental documents.
h. The public comment period, being not less
than 14 nor more than 30 calendar days
from the date of the notice.
i. City contact information.
142427.10 -1 g-
j. The time, place and date of the public
hearing, if a hearing has been scheduled.
k. A statement that the decision on the
application will be made within 120 days of
the date of the letter of completeness.
3. The City shall follow the procedures set forth in
ECDC 20.91.010(B)(1) in the issuance of a Notice
of Development Application with the following
modifications:
a. Only the information required by ECDC
20.91.010(A) need be included in the
publication required by ECDC
20.91.010(B)(1)(c).
b. The notice procedures required for a public
hearing under Chapter 20.9.1 ECDC may be
combined with the notice procedures for a
Notice of Development Application to the
extent possible.
F. Final Decision
1. , Time. The final decision on a project permit
application shall be made within 120 calendar days
from the date of the Letter of Completeness issued
under Section 20.90.010(D). Exceptions to this
include:
a. Amendments to the Comprehensive Plan or
ECDC.
b. Any time required to correct plans, perform
studies or provide additional information,
provided that within 14 calendar days of
receiving the requested additional
information, the Director of Community
Services shall determine whether the
information is adequate to resume the
project review.
C. Substantial project revisions made or
requested by an applicant, in which case the
120 days will begin again from the time that
142427.10 -19-
the City determines the revised application
to be complete.
d. All time required for the preparation and
review of an environmental impact statement
pursuant to the State Environmental Policy
Act, chapter 43.21C RCW, following a
determination of significance, if the City of
Edmonds by ordinance or resolution has
established time periods for completion of
environmental impact statements, or if the
Planning Manager and the project permit
applicant agree in writing to a time period
for completion of an environmental impact
statement.
e. Projects involving the siting of an essential
public facility.
f. An extension of time mutually agreed upon
by the City and the applicant.
g. Any period for administrative appeals of
project permits, if an open record appeal
hearing or a closed record appeal, or both,
are allowed.
2. Effective Date. The final decision of the hearing
body or City Council shall be effective on the date
stated in the decision, motion, resolution, or
ordinance.
3. A notice of decision shall be issued upon the
rendering of a final decision on a project permit
application. The notice shall also include a
statement of any threshold determination made
under chapter 43.21C RCW and the procedures for
administrative appeal, if any. The notice of
decision may be a copy of the report or decision on
the project permit application. The notice shall be
provided to the applicant and to any person, who,
prior to the rendering of the decision, requested
notice of the decision or submitted substantive
comments on the application.
142427.10 -20-
G. Hearing and Appeal Limitations.
No project permit application except for the appeal of a
determination of significance as provided in RCW 43.21C.075
shall be subject to more than one open record hearing and one
closed record appeal. An open record appeal may be held in the
absence of an open record predecision hearing.
H. Appeal Deadlines
1. For all open record appeal hearings, a final decision
on the appeal shall be issued within 90 days of the
date the appeal is filed.
2. For all closed record appeal hearings, a final
decision on the appeal shall be issued within 60
days of the date the appeal is filed.
3. Parties to an appeal may agree to extend the time
limits required by this subsection.
I. Appearance of Fairness
All quasi-judicial hearings for land use permit applications shall comply with the
Appearance of Fairness Doctrine as codified in chapter 42.36 RCW and
developed by the Washington courts. Under the Appearance of Fairness doctrine,
a quasi-judicial land use hearing must not only be fair in fact but must also appear
to be fair and free from an aura of partiality, impropriety, conflict of interest or
prejudgment. To this end the following hearing procedures shall be employed in
quasi-judicial land use hearings:
1. Prehearing Procedures: Prior to the opening of a public hearing,
the presiding officer of the review authority conducting the hearing
shall take the following actions:
a. The presiding officer shall inform the audience of the basic
procedural rules for participating in the hearing, including
time limits and order of presentation.
b. The presiding officer shall disclose any potential grounds
for partiality, impropriety, conflict of interest or
prejudgment. The presiding officer shall also disclose any
ex parse contacts with proponents or opponents of the
project under review. The presiding officer shall also ask
all other members of the review authority for the same
disclosures.
142427.10 -21-
C. The presiding officer shall ask if there are any objections
from any member of the audience based upon the contents
of the disclosures. The audience shall further be informed
that failure to object to any subject matter of the disclosure
shall serve to waive any right to further objection.
d. Should any objection from the audience be received, the
presiding officer shall determine if the objection serves as
grounds ,for disqualification of any participating decision
maker.
e. An objection to an ex parte contact shall not serve as a
basis for disqualification. Anyone who objects to an ex
parte communication shall have the right to rebut the
contents of the communication during the hearing.
2. Hearing Procedures: The following procedures shall apply while
a public hearing is open:
a. The order of testimony shall be as follows:
1) Staff Presentation.
2) Applicant Presentation.
3) Public Testimony.
4) Staff Response.
5) Applicant rebuttal, to the extent permitted by other
Council procedural rules.
b. All testimony shall be directed to the review authority.
3. Post - Hearing Procedure: The following procedures shall apply
after a public hearing is closed:
a. No new evidence shall be considered by the review
authority after the close of the public hearing.
b. The review authority shall limit its consideration of
evidence to that which was presented during the public
hearing.
C. Motions to reconsider may be considered until the formal
adoption of the written findings and conclusions pertaining
to the decision. The motion to reconsider and its debate
shall be ]united to the procedural motion and shall not
include deliberation of the main motion. If a motion to
reconsider is adopted, the matter shall be set for a
142427.10 -22-
follows:
continued public hearing with notice to all parties and the
public. The City Council shall specify in its notice whether
the matter is set for Council deliberation only on the
existing record or whether further public testimony will be
taken.
4. Procedures To Serve as Supplemental Guidelines: Theprocedures
of this subsection shall supplement existing rules relating to City
decision making procedures. The procedures of this subsection
shall supersede any conflicting City procedural requirements.
These procedures are intended to serve as guidelines for
compliance with state law requirements pertaining to the
Appearance of Fairness doctrine. Failure to comply with these
procedures shall not serve as justification to invalidate a land use
decision or serve as any source of liability to the City.
Section 22. A new Chapter 20.91 ECDC is hereby added to the ECDC as
CHAPTER 20.91 PUBLIC HEARINGS AND NOTICE
20.91.000 SCOPE
The following sections set minimum standards which apply
whenever a Notice of Development Application or public hearing
is required by this title. The individual portion of this title may set
additional requirements, such as different periods of time,
additional methods of giving notice, and so forth.
20.91.010 PUBLIC NOTICE
A. Contents of Notice for Public Hearings. A notice for a
public hearing shall contain at least the following:
1. A general description of the proposal.
2. A nonlegal description or map of the location of the
property including the street address if there is one.
For Formal Subdivisions see Section 20.75.065.
3. The time, place and date of the hearing.
4. The place where further information is available.
142427.10 -23-
5. A statement that oral comments at the hearing may
be subject to a time limit, and an invitation to
submit written comments before the hearing, or oral
comments at the hearing.
B. Notice Procedures. The City shall give notice of public
hearing at least 10 working days before the hearing date by
the following methods:
1. Except as specifically stated in Subsection 2 below,
all hearings under this Title shall be noticed as
follows:
a. Mailings to:
(1) Applicant and owner of the property
involved.
(2) Owners, as shown on the records of
the County Assessor, and to street
addresses of property located within
300 feet (except in the case of Group
Homes, see Chapter 20.18) of the
property involved in the proposal.
b. Posting. Notice shall be posted at
conspicuous places on or near the property
involved in the proposal. The staff shall
either post three notices at or near the site
or erect a large on- premises sign,
conspicuously placed in a prominent location
on the property, whichever shall, in the sole
opinion of the staff, provide the public with
the best notice of the proposed action. The
on- premises sign shall be erected by the City
and shall be in a format as developed by the
Director of Community Services. The
prorated cost of the sign and a fee for
erection shall be charged to the applicant as
an addition to any charge or fee imposed by
ECDC Title 15. The on- premises sign shall
be an incidental sign within the meaning of
ECDC 20.60.060(A) erected for the
convenience of the public and shall not be
deemed an illegal use in any zone nor shall
142427.10 -24-
it impact any existing sign package relating
to any site.
C. Publication. Notice shall be published at
least once in the official newspaper of the
City, if one has been designated, or in a
newspaper of general circulation.
2. Notice procedures for the below matters shall be as
follows:
a. Rezones (Amendment to Official Zoning
Map), see newspaper publication pursuant to
Section 20.40.030. In addition notice shall
be given by:
(1) Posting (Subsection lb above), and
(2) Mailings (Subsection la above); or
(3) If more than 100 parcels are
involved in a rezone, as an
alternative to individually mailed
notices, notice may be given by
publishing at least one notice as a
display ad, at least one - quarter page
in size, in a newspaper of general
circulation in Edmonds as set forth
in Chapter 1.03 at least 10 working
days before the hearing.
(4) Publication as specified in ECDC
20.91.410(B)(1)(c).
b. Zoning ordinance text changes (identified in
Section 20.80.020), newspaper publication
under Section 20.40.030. Further, if the
Director of Community Services determines
that the change is significant enough to
warrant extra notice, he or she may also
notice the change(s) proposed by newspaper
display advertisements as set forth above.
C. Comprehensive plan text amendment,
newspaper publication under Section
20.00.020. If the Director of Community
142427.10 -25-
Services determines that the change is
significant enough to warrant extra notice,
he or she may also notice the change(s)
proposed by newspaper display
advertisements as set forth above.
d. Comprehensive plan map amendment,
newspaper publication under Section
20.00.020. If the Director of Community
Services determines that the change is
significant enough to warrant extra notice,
he or she may also notice the change(s)
proposed by newspaper display
advertisements as set forth above.
e. Formal Subdivisions, see Section 20.75.065.
f. Street vacations, see Section 20.70.020.
g. Shoreline substantial development permits,
see Section 20.55.020.
20.91.020 PROCEDURE
A. Staff Report. The staff shall present its report and
recommendation, and answer questions from the person or
members of the body holding the hearing.
B. Public Testimony. The person presiding over the hearing
shall declare the public hearing open. The applicant, and /or
his representatives, if any, shall speak first. If the hearing
is on the application of a person requesting review of an
approved permit or an appeal from a staff decision, which
is unrelated to an application for a permit, that individual
or individuals shall speak first. Following the presentation
of the applicant, the appellant, if any, shall be allowed to
speak. Then, any interested person may be heard. After all
interested members of the public have had a fair
opportunity to speak, the applicant shall be given a brief
opportunity to respond to or rebut information presented by
the appellant or members of the public. This opportunity
for rebuttal shall not be used to present new information or
to address subjects other than issues raised by the appellant
and public. After all interested persons have had a fair
opportunity to speak, the person presiding over the hearing
shall declare the public hearing closed. The person
142427.10 -26-
presiding shall then recognize final staff comments, if any,
and questions of the Council.
Any hearing may be continued to obtain information
needed for a proper decision, or for other good cause. No
further notice of the continued hearing shall be required if
the hearing is continued to a set date.
C. Relevant Material. A person may speak on, or submit
other material on any relevant subject. A subject is relevant
if it is related to the elements of the proposal being
reviewed, as shown by the required fmdings or review
criteria required by the ECDC. The person presiding over
the hearing may exclude material which is not shown to be
relevant.
D. Time Limits. The person or body holding the hearing may
impose a reasonable time limit for every person speaking
during the hearing.
E. Rules of Procedure. The person or body charged with
holding public hearings shall adopt, with the concurrence
of the City Council, rules of procedure to supplement this
section. However, formal rules of evidence or procedure
followed in a court shall not be applied to hearings under
this section.
F. Discussion. The person or body holding the hearings may
ask questions of the staff or any other person after the
hearing is closed. However, if any new material is raised
by these questions, or if any new material is discussed, the
public hearing may be reopened for comment on the new
material. New material is material not discussed before or
during the public testimony portion of the hearing.
G. Decision. The decision shall be made after the hearing. For
the Hearing Examiner, Director of Community Services
and other staff, the decision shall be made within 10 days
of the day the hearing was closed. The decision shall be
based on the relationship of the proposal to the standards,
criteria and findings of the ECDC. The report (or minutes)
of the decision shall also include findings and conclusions.
A decision arrived at by the Hearing Examiner or Director
of Community Services or other staff shall be reported in
writing promptly to, the applicant, appellant, if any, and
any other person requesting a copy of the decision.
142427.10 -27-
H. Records. The City Clerk shall keep a permanent record of
all public hearings held under the ECDC. Summary
minutes and a tape recording of the hearings shall be
sufficient record.
The Community Services Department shall keep the
permanent record of all exhibits, staff reports and so forth,
on each proposal.
Section 23. ECDC 20.95.040 is hereby amended as follows:
20.95.040 STAFF DECISION - NO NOTICE REQUIRED
A. Scope. The following permits and approvals are reviewed
under this procedure:
1. Check of building permits for zoning compliance.
2. Threshold determinations and approval of a draft
Environmental Impact Statement under Chapter
20.15.
3. Such other matters as may be specifically referred
by City Code.
B. Procedure. The Director of Community Services or his or
her designee shall decide whether to approve, conditionally
approve, or deny the application, based on the staff report.
The decision shall be in writing, and shall be appealable to
the Hearing Examiner under Chapter 20.105 ECDC.
C. Optional Reconsideration. A permit applicant may
request a reconsideration of the decision issued under this
section by either the original decision -maker or the
Planning Manager. If the applicant requests
reconsideration by the Planning Manager and the Planning
Manager is not available to render a decision within the
time limits required by the ECDC, the Planning Manager
shall designate a supervisor of the original staff decision
maker to rule on the reconsideration. The request for
reconsideration shall be filed in writing with the Planning
Manager within 14 working days after the date of the
decision being appealed. The requested decision -maker
for the reconsideration shall approve, conditionally
approve, or deny the application. The decision shall be in
writing, and shall be appealable to the Hearing Examiner
142427.10 -28-
under Chapter 20.105 ECDC. This subsection shall not
apply to decisions identified in ECDC 20.95.040(A)(2).
Section 24. ECDC 20.95.050 is hereby amended as follows:
20.95.050 STAFF DECISION - NOTICE REQUIRED
A. Scope. The following permits and approvals are reviewed
under this procedure:
1. Extensions of time for subdivisions, conditional use
permits, and planned residential developments.
2. Minor changes to a preliminary approval of a
subdivision.
3. Lot line adjustments.
4. Home occupations.
5. Joint use of parking.
6. Guest houses.
7. Such other matters as specifically referred by the
City Code.
8. Preliminary plats of short subdivisions.
9. Changes to recorded short subdivisions.
10. Conditional use permits for mini day care facility.
B. Procedure. The Planning Manager or designee, shall
decide whether to approve, conditionally approve, or deny
the application based upon the staff report.
1. Notice. The Director of Community Services shall
give notice of the decision as specified in Section
20.91.010. The notice shall contain at least the
following:
a. A general description of the proposal and
decision.
142427.10 -29-
b. A nonlegal description or map of the
location of the property including the street
address, if there is one.
C. The place where further information is
available.
d. The date on which the reconsideration or
appeal period ends which shall be no less
than 10 days from the date of posting.
e. A statement that the preliminary decision
will become final unless a request for staff
reconsideration is filed with the Planning
Department on or before the date specified
by the notice and that the Planning
Manager's decision following such
reconsideration will become final unless a
written appeal is filed with the Planning
Department on or before the date specified
in the notice of such reconsideration
decision.
2. Reconsideration. If a written request for
reconsideration or clarification of the staff decision
is filed with the Planning Department within ten
working days of the posting of the notice required
by this section, the staff shall reconsider its decision
and either affirm, modify or reverse its initial
decision. Notice of the staff's decision upon
reconsideration shall be posted as is required for the
original decision. If no request for reconsideration
is filed within the time period specified in the notice
of the staff's original decision, the decision of the
Planning Manager shall become final.
3. Appeal of Reconsideration. Appeal procedures
shall be governed by Chapter 20.105 ECDC.
Section 25. Chapter 20.95.060 ECDC is hereby repealed.
Section 26. ECDC 20.100.000 is hereby amended as follows:
142427.10 -30-
20.100.000 SCOPE
This chapter establishes review procedures for the permit
applications identified herein.
Section 27. ECDC 20.100.010 is hereby amended as follows:
20.100.010 HEARING EXAMINER REVIEW
A. Scope - Recommendations. The Hearing Examiner shall
review and make recommendations to the City Council on
the following approvals under this section:
1. Official Street Map changes.
2. Upon authorization of the City Council, hold
hearings regarding the final assessment role of any
local improvement district or utility local
improvement district in accordance with the
provisions of Chapter 35.44 Revised Code of
Washington as the same exists or is hereafter
amended. The provisions of said Chapter regarding
notice shall control any conflicting provision of
these ordinances.
3. Planned Residential Developments.
4. Such other matters as may be referred by the City
Code.
B. Scope - Decisions. The Hearing Examiner shall review and
make final decisions, appealable to the City Council, on the
following permits and approvals under this section:
1. Conditional Use Permits except where this code
provides for staff approval and Group Homes.
2. Variances.
3. Shoreline Permits.
4. Hearings on draft Environmental Impact Statements.
5. Preliminary plats for Formal Subdivisions.
6. Review of approved permit, see Section 20.100.040.
142427.10 -31-
7. Such other matters as may be referred by the City
Code.
C. Pre - Hearing. The Hearing Examiner shall review all
information in the project file kept by the Community
Services Department, including the application, staff report,
environmental impact statements, and so forth. The
Hearing Examiner shall visit the project site.
D. Public Hearing. The Hearing Examiner shall hold a public
hearing on each project reviewed in the manner provided
in Chapter 20.91 ECDC. The Community Services
Department shall give notice as required by that chapter.
E. Findings and Conclusions. Within 10 working days
following the conclusions of all testimony and hearings,
unless the applicant agrees to an extension of time, the
hearing Examiner shall make findings and conclusions, and
take action based only on information reviewed under parts
C and D of this section, and a visit to the project site after
the hearing, if one was made. The findings and conclusions
shall explain how the decision or recommendation will
carry out and implement the Edmonds Comprehensive Plan
and other relevant provisions of the ECDC. The Examiner
shall send a copy of the findings and conclusions to the
applicant, the Community Services Department, to any
person who requests a copy, and the City Council. The
findings and conclusions shall contain any conditions placed
on an approval or permits.
F. Criteria. The Hearing Examiner shall make findings, reach
conclusions and take action in accordance with the findings
and criteria contained in the ordinance governing the type
of application being reviewed.
G. Reconsideration. The Hearing Examiner shall reconsider
his decision or recommendation on any matter before him
if a written request is filed within 10 working days of the
date of the initial decision by any person who attends the
public hearing and signs the attendance register and /or
presents testimony or by any person holding an ownership
interest in a tract of land which is the subject of such
decision or recommendation. Any such reconsideration
request shall cite specific references to the findings and /or
the criteria contained in the ordinances governing the type
of application being reviewed.
142427.10 -32-
The Hearing Examiner shall promptly review the
reconsideration request and within 5 working days issue a
written response, either approving or denying the request.
If the reconsideration request is denied, the 10 working day
appeal deadline of the Hearing Examiner's decision shall
recommence for the remaining number of days. If, upon
the review of the request for reconsideration, the Hearing
Examiner believes that an error or omission is significant
and may alter his or her decision or recommendation, he or
she may at his or her discretion:
1. Amend the decision to incorporate any omitted
material and /or fact or to correct the error; or
2. Elect to present a brief to the City Council outlining
the error or omission and its anticipated impact on
his or her decision.
Section 28. ECDC 20.100.030(A) and (B) are hereby amended as follows:
A. Normal Review. The City. Council shall consider a
recommendation of the Hearing Examiner or Planning
Board at its next available public meeting. The Council
may adopt or remand the recommendation at that meeting.
In the case of a local improvement district or a utility local improvement
district hearing held in accordance with the provisions of Section
20.100.010(4) and RCW 35.44.070, the Council shall review the
recommendations of the Hearing Examiner and any appeal taken
therefrom. Any person aggrieved by the recommendation of the Hearing
Examiner shall be entitled to a review of the record by the City Council
upon the filing of a written appeal from the recommendations of the
Hearing Examiner within 10 working days of the date of mailing of the
Hearing Examiner's final recommendations after disposition of a motion
for reconsideration, if any such motion is filed. The Council shall base its
decision upon the record established before the Hearing Examiner and
may adopt, reject or modify the recommendations of the Hearing
Examiner in whole or in part, or may in its discretion remand the matter
to the Hearing Examiner for further proceedings, PROVIDED,
HOWEVER, that in the event of an appeal, the Council shall hear
argument of the appellant based on said record. Adoption by ordinance of
a final assessment roll shall commence the appeal period established by
RCW Chapter 35.44. These provisions shall control over any conflicting
provision and shall be read in conjunction with the requirements of RCW
35.44.190 -270.
142427.10 -33-
B. Optional Public Hearing. If the Council wishes to
consider any change to a recommendation for an
amendment to the comprehensive plan or a nonsite specific
rezone, the Council shall set a public hearing in the manner
provided in Chapter 20.91 ECDC. After the hearing the
Council shall approve, modify, conditionally approve, deny
or remand the proposal. In the case of amendment to the
Zoning Ordinance (or Map) or Comprehensive Plan (or
Map) in the event of a remand the Council shall specify the
time within which the Planning Board shall report back its
findings and recommendations to the Council.
Section 29. ECDC 20.100.040(C) is hereby amended as follows:
C. Review Procedure.
1. The Director of Community Services shall notify
the permittee in writing that the permit is being
reviewed, list the alleged deficiencies, and specify
a reasonable time for the permittee to correct the
deficiencies.
2. If the permittee could reasonably correct the
deficiencies, but fails to do so within the specified
time, the Director of Community Services may
refer the matter to the City Attorney for criminal or
civil enforcement of the City Code, or the
conditions of the permit.
3. If the only reasonable ways to correct the
deficiencies are for the permittee to cease the
permitted activity, or for the City to impose new or
changed conditions on the permit, the Director of
Community Services shall refer the matter to the
Hearing Examiner for review.
4. The Hearing Examiner shall hold a public hearing
under Chapter 20.91 ECDC to review the permit or
approval, using criteria required for the original
permit, and subsection A of this section.
5. If the Hearing Examiner finds that deficiencies
exist, and that they can be reasonably corrected by
imposing new or changed conditions on the permit,
the permit conditions may be changed. The Hearing
Examiner's actions shall be final, unless the original
142427.10 -34-
approval required City Council approval. In that
case, the Hearing Examiner's action shall be a
recommendation to the Council to be considered by
the Council under Section 20.100.030.
6. If the Hearing Examiner finds that the only
reasonable way to correct the deficiencies is for the
permittee to cease the permitted activity, the
Hearing Examiner may revoke the permit. The
Hearing Examiner's action shall be appealable to
the City Council under Section 20.100.010.
7. If the permit is revoked, the permit shall be null
and void, and all activity allowed by the permit
shall cease.
Section 30. ECDC 20.105.000 is hereby amended as follows:
20.105.000 SCOPE
This section provides the basic procedure for processing appeals.
In the event another chapter in Title 20, except Chapter 20.90
ECDC, sets different specific requirements for appeal procedures,
this chapter shall control.
Section 31. ECDC 20.105.010 is hereby amended as follows:
20.105.010 APPEALABLE DECISIONS
A. Staff Decisions. Any person may appeal a decision of
staff, on the following matters, to the Hearing Examiner in
the manner provided in this chapter.
1. Short subdivisions and lot line adjustments.
2. Home occupations.
3. Interpretations of the text of the ECDC.
4. SEPA (chapter 43.21C RCW) decisions in
accordance with the provisions of ECDC Chapter
20.15A as the same exists or is hereafter amended.
5. Permits or approvals required by Title 18 (Public
Works).
142427.10 -35-
6. Appeals of required dedications of right -of -way and
the reconnection charge established under the
provisions of ECC 7.10.065.
7. Sign Permits.
8. Critical Areas staff decisions in accordance with the
provisions of ECDC chapter 20.15B as the same
exists or is hereafter amended.
9. Such other matters as may be specifically referred
by the ECDC.
B. Hearing Examiner Decisions. Any person may appeal a
final decision of the Hearing Examiner identified in ECDC
20.100.01.0(B) to the City Council in the manner provided
in this chapter.
Section 31. ECDC 20.105.020 is hereby amended as follows:
20.105.020 APPEAL - FILING
A. Written Appeal. Appeals shall be written and shall state
the following:
1. The decision being appealed, the name of the
project applicant and the date of the decision.
2. The name and address of the person appealing, and
his or her interest in the matter.
3. The reasons why the person appealing believes the
decision to be wrong.
4. Persons to be notified under subsection B below,
including correct names and addresses.
B. Filing the Appeal. The person appealing shall file the
appeal with the Director of Community Services within 14
calendar days after the date of the decision being appealed.
If an appeal is properly filed within the time limit, the
appealed decision shall be suspended until the appeal has
been acted on, and no further development action which
was the subject of the decision may be taken. If no public
hearing has been held earlier, the person appealing shall
also provide a list of property owners as specified in
142427.10 -36-
20.95.010 and whom must be notified by the Community
Services Department.
Section 32. ECDC 20.105.030 is hereby amended as follows:
20.105.030 APPEAL OF STAFF DECISION
A. Who May Appeal. Persons entitled to appeal are:
1. the applicant; or
2. anyone who has submitted a written document to
the City of Edmonds concerning the application
prior to issuance of the staff decision; or
3. anyone within 300 feet of the property which is the
subject of the application, or who can demonstrate
an interest in the action.
B. Department Action. The Community Services Department
shall promptly:
1. Send a copy of the appeal to the project applicant if
the person appealing is not the applicant.
2. Give notice of the hearing as specified in Chapter
20.91 ECDC.
3. Send a copy of the notice of hearing to the person
appealing.
4. Provide a copy of the staff report and decision,
minutes of the hearing held on the decision, a
response to the appeal, and other relevant
documents, to the Hearing Examiner. The project
applicant, person appealing and other interested
parties shall be notified in writing that the materials
are on file and may be reviewed and /or copied at
the expense of the person wishing the copies.
C. Public Hearing. The Hearing Examiner shall hold a public
hearing on the appeal in the manner provided in Chapter
20.91 ECDC. The Hearing Examiner shall base the
decision on the appeal on the same criteria and findings as
set forth in this code for the original decision.
142427.10 -37-
D. Appeal of Hearing Examiner Decision. The decision of
the Hearing Examiner on appeals of staff decisions on
project permit applications shall be final and shall not be
appealable to the City Council. Hearing Examiner
decisions on appeals of staff decisions that do not involve
project permit applications shall be appealable to the City
Council pursuant to the process specified in ECDC
20.105.040.
Section 33. ECDC 20.105.040 is hereby amended as follows:
20.105.040 APPEAL OF HEARING EXAMINER ACTION
A. Who May Appeal. Persons entitled to appeal are:
1. The applicant; or
2. Anyone who has submitted a written document to
the City of Edmonds concerning the application
prior to or at the hearing identified in Section
20.100.010; or
3. Anyone testifying on the application at the hearing
identified in Section 20.100.010.
B. Department Action. The Community Services Department
shall promptly:
1. Send a copy of the appeal to the Hearing Examiner
and to the applicant if the person appealing is not
the applicant.
2. Send a copy of the appeal to the City Clerk, along
with copies of reports, hearing minutes and any
other relevant material that the Hearing Examiner
has not already sent to the Council as part of his or
her decision.
C. City Clerk Action. After receiving notice of an appeal of
a Hearing Examiner action, the City Clerk shall promptly:
1. Set the meeting on the appeal on a City Council
agenda for a date that is within 30 days of the date
the appeal was filed.
142427.10 -38-
2. Give notice of the meeting as specified for public
hearings in Section 20.91 ECDC.
3. Send a notice of the hearing to the person
appealing.
D. City Council Review.
1. The Council shall consider the appeal, including
review of the record, in a closed record appeal.
The parties to the appeal may submit timely written
statements or arguments.
2. The Council shall review the proposal using the
same criteria and findings set forth in this code for
the original decision.
3. The Council shall state its findings and conclusions
regarding the appeal. The Council may take either
of the following actions:
a. Affirm, modify or reverse the action of the
Hearing Examiner; or
b. Remand the matter back to the Hearing
Examiner for further consideration in
accordance with Section ECDC
20.105.040(E).
The decision of the Council shall be final, shall be
put into writing, and shall include any conditions
placed on an approval.
E. Remand. In the event the City Council determines that
additional consideration or clarification from the Hearing
Examiner is necessary, the Council may remand the matter
back to the Hearing Examiner. The Council shall specify
the items or issues to be considered and the time frame for
completing the additional work.
Section 34. ECDC 20.105.070 is hereby amended as follows:
20.105.070 COURT REVIEW
Any final decision or other final action for which no other
administrative appeal is specifically provided in the ECC or ECDC
142427.10 -39-
and for which all other appeals specifically authorized have been
timely exhausted shall be reviewable as provided by state law
before the Superior Court of Snohomish County. Any such action
shall be filed within 21 calendar days from any final decision or
other final action so to be reviewed. The cost of transcription of
all records ordered certified by the court for such review shall be
borne by the appellant.
Section 35. A new Section 21.15.035 is hereby added to the ECDC to provide .
as follows:
21.15.035 CLOSED RECORD APPEAL
Closed record appeal for purposes of the ECDC means an
administrative appeal on the record to a decision making body,
including the City Council, following an open record hearing on
a project permit application when the appeal is on the record with
no or limited new evidence or information allowed to be submitted
and only appeal argument allowed.
Section 36. A new Section 21.80.095 is hereby added to the ECDC to provide
as follows:
21.80.095 PROJECT PERMIT OR PROJECT PERMIT
APPLICATION
"Project permit" or "project permit application" for purposes of
the ECDC means any land use or environmental permit or license
required by the ECDC for a project action, including but not
limited to building permits, subdivisions, binding site plans,
planned unit developments, conditional uses, shoreline substantial
development permits, site plan review, permits or approvals
required by critical areas ordinances, site - specific rezones
authorized by a comprehensive plan or sub -area plan, but
excluding the adoption or amendment of a comprehensive plan,
sub -area plan, or development regulations except as otherwise
specifically included in this subsection.
Section 37. A new ECDC 21.80.105 is hereby added to the ECDC to provide
as follows:
142427.10 -40-
21.80.105 PUBLIC MEETING
Public meeting for purposes of the ECDC means an informal
meeting, hearing, workshop, or other public gathering of people
to obtain comments from the public or other agencies on a
proposed project permit prior to the decision making body's
decision. A public meeting may include, but is not limited to, an
Architectural Design Board meeting or a scoping meeting on a
draft environmental impact statement. A public meeting does not
include an open record hearing. The proceedings at a public
meeting may be recorded and a report or recommendation may be
included in the City's project permit file.
Section 38. Edmonds Ordinance Numbers 3078 and 3092, adopting interim
Regulatory Reform measures, are hereby repealed.
Section 39. Severability. If any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this
ordinance should be held to be invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction,
such invalidity or unconstitutionality shall not affect the validityy or constitutionality of any other
section, sentence, clause or phrase of this ordinance.
Section 40. Effective Date. This ordinance, being an exercise of a power
specifically delegated to the City legislative body, is not subject to referendum and shall take
effect five days after passage and publication of an approved summary thereof consisting of the
title.
APPROVED:
MAYOR,
ATTEST /AUTHENTICATED:
CITY CLERK, SANDRA S. CHASE
142427.10 -41-
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
OFFICE OF THE CITY ATTORNEY:
BY
FILED WITH THE CITY CLERK: 09/20/96
PASSED BY THE CITY COUNCIL: 09/24/96,
PUBLISHED: 09- /25/96
EFFECTIVE DATE: 09/30'/96
ORDINANCE NO. 3112
142427.10 -42-
SUMMARY OF ORDINANCE NO. 3112
of the City of Edmonds, Washington
On the 24th day of September-, 1996 , the City Council of the City of Edmonds,
passed Ordinance No. 3112 A summary of the content of said ordinance, consisting
of the title, provides as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF EDMONDS, WASHINGTON, AMENDING TITLE 20
OF THE EDMONDS COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CODE AS REQUIRED BY THE
WASHINGTON STATE. REGULATORY REFORM ACT, CHAPTER 36.70B RCW, IN
ORDER TO IMPOSE GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR A COMPLETE APPLICATION;
TO ALLOW FOR OPTIONAL CONSOLIDATED PERMIT PROCESSING; TO SET AN
EXPEDITED TIME FRAME FOR THE ISSUANCE OF LAND USE PERMITS; TO LIMIT
LAND USE PUBLIC HEARINGS AND APPEALS; TO EXPAND PUBLIC NOTICE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROCESSING OF LAND USE APPLICATIONS; TO AMEND
JUDICIAL APPEAL PROCEDURES TO CONFORM WITH THE EXPEDITED APPEAL
REQUIREMENTS OF CHAPTER RCW 36.70C; AND ALSO AMENDING PUBLIC
HEARING PROCEDURES TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE
APPEARANCE OF FAIRNESS DOCTRINE, CHAPTER 42.36 RCW; AND FIXING A TIME
WHEN THE SAME SHALL BECOME EFFECTIVE.
The full text of this Ordinance will be mailed upon request.
DATED this 25th day of September 3 1996
4,uad � / e!TA'0 I.Q.G�
CITY CLERK, SANDRA S. CHASE
142427.10 -43-
STATE OF WASHINGTON,
COUNTY OF SNOHODrLISH,
SUMMARY OF
ORDINANCE NO. 3112
of the City of
Edmonds, Washington
On the 24th day of Septem-
bar, 1996, the City Council of
the City of Edmonds, gassed
Ordinance No. 3112. A sum-
mary -of the content of said I
ordinance, consisting of the j
title, provides as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE
CITY OF EDMONDS WASH-
INGTON, AMENDING TITLE
20 OF THE EDMONDS COM-
MUNITY DEVELOPMENT
CODE AS REQUIRED BY THE
WASHINGTON STATE REGU-
LATORY REFORM ACT,
CHAPTER 36.708 RCW IN
ORDER TO IMPOSE dEN-
ERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR
A COMPLETE APPLICATION;
TO ALLOW FOR OPTIONAL
CONSOLIDATED PERMIT
PROCESSING; TO SET AN
EXPEDITED TIME FRAME
FOR THE ISSUANCE OF
LAND USE PERMITS; TO
LIMIT LAND USE PUBLIC
HEARINGS AND APPEALS,
TO EXPAND PUBLIC NOTICE
REQUIREMENTS FOR THE
(PROCESSING OF LAND USE
APPLICATIONS; TO AMEND
APPEAL DURIES TO CONFORMRWITH
THE EXPEDITED APPEAL
REQUIREMENTS OF CHAP-
TER RCW 36.70C; AND ALSO
iAMENDING PUBLIC HEARING,
PROCEDURES TO CONFORM
WITH THE REQUIREMENTS
OF THE APPEARANCE OF
FAIRNESS ,
CHAPTER 42.3 RCW; AND
!FIXING A TIME WHEN THE
SAME SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE.
The full text of this
Ordinance will be mailed upon
re east.
DATED this 25th day of
September .1996.
SANDRA S. CHASE
City Clerk
Published: September 25,
1996. —
B -2 -1
Affidavit of Publication
RECEIVED
OCT - 2 1996
EDMONDS CITY CLERK
The undersigned, being first- duly sworn on oath deposes and says
that she ''is Principal Clerk of 'THE HERALD, a daily newspaper
printed and published in the City of Everett, County of Snohomish,
and State of Washington; that said newspaper is a newspaper of
general circulation in said County and State; that said newspaper
has been approved as a legal newspaper by order of the Superior
Court of Snohomish County and that the notice ......... ...............................
Summary of Ordinance No. 3112
a printed copy of which is hereunto attached, was published in said
newspaper proper and not in supplement form, in the regular and
entire edition of said paper on the following days and times, namely:
September 25, 1996
.................................. ..............................................................................................
..................... ............................... ................................................... ...............................
and that said newspaper was regularly distributed to its subscribers
during all of said period.
................... «(......: ...........
Principal Clerk
Subscribed and sworn to before me this ....25th
day of ... -....- ...September 1996....
.... - -- -- .�y /.. �......
Notary Public in and for t Stat of Washington,
residing at Everett, Snoho ounty.
/0eFE
0� oN
U �0 �'