01559s
and engineering. Chairman LaBelle said he thought this probably was one of
the better alternatives for this particular piece of property but he did
not think the density should exceed 14 residential units. Commissioner
Smith favored the PRO, partly because it would fall under ADB review, which
was not the case with individual homes. Commissioner McGibbon favored the
proposal as presented. He liked the idea of including some studio units,
feeling that met a demand that will be found more and more in many com-
munities. He felt some people only need a unit of that size and this gives
them an opportunity to purchase a home. Since it would not go over the
allowed density, he favored the proposal as presented. Commissioner Hall
did not feel three studio units would fill the need for the City of Edmonds,
and she felt that need could be filled in a less sensitive area of Edmonds.
Commissioner McGibbon responded that you can use that argument wherever
this kind of thing is.proposed, and you end up not having it anywhere.
Commissioner Hodgin also felt there was a need for such small units, and he
thought this was an excellent proposal. Commissioner,Walker said her
sentiments were with the property owners but legally there was nothing else
the Commission could do. She said the law allows it and the City indicates
this is the best use for this site, and there was.no way to guarantee
anything better. COMMISSIONER.McGIBBON MOVED;°SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER
HODGIN, TO.APPROVE.PRD=1=80,BECAUSE''HE FELT'THIS WAS THE MOST DESIRABLE
DEVELOPMENT'ALTERNATIVEIFOR"THIS`,PARCEL OF>7PROPERTY• IN VIEW OF EXISTING
ZONING,.APPROVAL TO-BE,CONDITIONED ON,THE'PRESERVATION,OF THE.EXISTING
.STREAM BANK, LEAVING NATURAL` -VEGETATION ON.BOTIi.SIDES.OF_THE STREAM.,
Commissioner Hall said she would vote against the motion because she was
not comfortable with the three studio units in a sensitive area and she
further was not comfortable with the proposal coming in.under.a Code that
has not yet.been passed. 'MOTION CARRIED, WITH COMMISSIONERS HALL AND
:LaBELLE VOTING NO.;, Chairman LaBelle said he voted against the motion
because he thought 14 should be the maximum number of units with the
proximity of the structures to the stream. Commissioner Hall said she
hoped the City Council would do a site inspection when this goes before
them. A short recess was announced.
s ST-2-80 RECON ENTERPRISES - Vacation of a portion of right-of-way and amendment to
the Official Street Map to allow the introduction of additional parking to
that portion of the right-of-way of 4th Ave. S. lying between Lot 8--Block
1, and Lot 8--Block 2, all in South Park Addition to Edmonds
Mr. Bowman noted that a 10' strip would be retained around the cul-de-sac
in this proposal. The Planning Division recommended that the Official
Street Map be amended and that the portion of 4th Ave. S. lying between SR
104 and 10' from the existing pavement be vacated. Because of its location
in relationship to SR 104, Mr. Bowman said 4th Ave. S. never would be
extended to the south. A declaration of nonsignificant environmental
impact had been issued. It was recommended that the applicant be required
to pay half the appraised value of the property. Mr. Bowman said the
,condominiums were constructed and after the building was erected and the
parking lot put in it was determined that the parking spaces needed could
not be provided on the site. The only alternative the applicants had was
to obtain a vacation of this portion of 4th Ave. S. Part of the problem
was involved with the grade change from 5th Ave. down to 4th Ave. Assistant
City Engineer Patrick Wilson said the Engineering Division recommended
approval and was not opposed to the vacation if the abutting property
owners were required to pay the fair market value for the property. He
said the building was supposed to be built at a certain level and part way
through it was discovered that they were building higher. When they were'
required to lower it they simply dropped one floor and eliminated some of
the parking. Mr. Wilson noted that their proposal actually would leave 15'
around the cul-de-sac rather than 10', and he saw no reason to oppose it.
The public portion of the hearing was opened.
Jay Hanson of Recon Enterprises said they had experienced quite a cost in
doing what they have to do. He said they would be improving the land and
would appreciate not having the further cost of purchasing the property.
City Attorney Wayne Tanaka advised that State law authorizes the City to
EDMONDS PLANNING COMMISSION
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