2022-03-02 Architectural Design Board MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN BOARD
Minutes of Webinar Meeting
March 2, 2022
Chair Bayer called the meeting of the Architectural Design Board to order at 7:00 p.m. via Zoom.
Board Members Present
Kim Bayer, Chair
Alexa Brooks, Vice Chair
Maurine Jeude
Lauri Strauss
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Board Members Absent Staff Present
Joe Herr Susan McLaughlin, Devt. Svcs. Director
Mike Clugston, Senior Planner
Jeff Taraday, City Attorney
MOTION MADE BY BOARD MEMBER STRAUSS, SECONDED BY VICE CHAIR BROOKS TO
APPROVE THE AGENDA. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
January 5, 2022 Meeting Minutes
MOTION MADE BY BOARD MEMBER JEUDE, SECONDED BY BOARD MEMBER STRAUSS
TO APPROVE THE JANUARY 5, 2022 MINUTES AS PRESENTED. MOTION PASSED
UNANIMOUSLY.
BOARD REVIEW ITEMS
Comprehensive Plan: A Tool to Guide Growth in Edmonds
Development Services Director McLaughlin explained how to use the Comprehensive Plan as a tool for
planning. She gave some background on the Growth Management Act (GMA) which is intended to coordinate
development and prevent urban sprawl. The Comprehensive Plan starts with a community vision which guides
the Comprehensive Plan goals and policies, implementation strategies (development regulations, infrastructure
spending priorities). Every permitted project and every spending decision is to be consistent with the community
vision. Development regulations help to implement the Comprehensive Plan and set the standards for
development. These regulations include traditional zoning, critical areas regulations, subdivision regulations,
public works standards, and other standards such as design standards, signs, landscaping, and parking. Ms.
McLaughlin reviewed the purpose and effect of the Comprehensive Plan on planning. She highlighted the
Community Culture and Urban Design Element of the Comprehensive Plan as examples of showing design
objectives within the element.
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Minutes of Virtual Meeting
March 2, 2022
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Vice Chair Brooks asked for a list of the focal points within the Comprehensive Plan that are relevant to the
ADB. Ms. McLaughlin stated that staff could provide that but also encouraged board members to read through
and be familiar with the Plan.
Board Member Strauss agreed that it would be helpful for staff to highlight areas of focus. Ms. McLaughlin
concurred.
Chair Bayer thanked staff for the presentation. She asked about the upcoming Comprehensive Plan update
process. Ms. McLaughlin noted that the City is hiring a Planning Manager who will be an expert in the Growth
Management Act and subsequent Comprehensive Plan. She generally reviewed the process including growth
targets and re-engaging with the community about the 20-year vision.
Chair Bayer asked how the Multifamily Design Standards fit into this process. Ms. McLaughlin stated that the
Multifamily Design Standards are much more specific than the level of detail in the Comprehensive Plan
language typically is. There is a relationship, but the Comprehensive Plan is much broader. She noted there is a
moratorium on the BD2 zone downtown, but they are working on interim design standards which will be
moving through Council in April. The Multifamily Design Standards are on hold until they find a replacement
for Eric Engmann. Because the interim design standards are an "emergency" ordinance they go directly to
Council for approval. After that there will be a public process to incorporate them into the Multifamily Design
Standards.
There was some discussion about how the scheduled April 6 Phase 2 public hearing regarding the 6th and Main
project would be impacted. Ms. McLaughlin explained the Board would still need to review this item on April
6. At that meeting they will likely pick another date in the future to reconvene the hearing. New designs for 6th
and Main are expected to be available for the April 6 Council meeting. Chair Bayer was a little concerned
because the public was expecting the designs mid -March. Board Member Strauss noted that the Board has the
discretion to continue the hearing if needed.
BOARD DISCUSSION ITEMS
City Attorney Training and Discussion
City Attorney Jeff Taraday gave a PowerPoint training regarding Board regulations and guidelines. General
clarification questions and answers about hypothetical scenarios were interspersed throughout the presentation.
Mr. Taraday reviewed:
• Appearance of Fairness Doctrine (Chapter 42.36)
o Ex Parte Communications
o Bias
o Open Public Meetings Act
o Disqualification
o Conflict of Interest issues
Board Member Strauss thought it was curious that in all her time on the Board no one has ever said that they
had a conflict of interest or ex parte communication. City Attorney Taraday agreed and encouraged the members
to not feel any shame about this or that they had done something wrong if they need to disclose something on
the record. Situations which would cause a board member to step down from a hearing were also discussed.
Architectural Design Board Meeting
Minutes of Virtual Meeting
March 2, 2022
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One Open Record Hearing (RCW 36.70B.050, RCW 36.70B.020(3))
o Only one open record hearing
o Record of the hearing
o Support your decision
o Take your time
Anderson v. Issaquah (briefly summarized)
o Key idea: Provide clear, specific, objective feedback consistent with design standards
ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS:
Chair Bayer referred to the Baskin Robbins site and asked if the fact that this would be a subdivision and not a
unit lot subdivision would change anything for the ADB. Mr. Clugston replied that it would not.
Chair Bayer noted that the Market is redoing its roofline to have an overhang on the sidewalk. She wondered if
this would need to come to the ADB. Mr. Clugston said it would not; it would just be a staff level decision.
Mr. Clugston stated that the advertisement for new board members closed on Monday.
ADJOURNMENT:
The meeting was adjourned at 8:49 p.m.
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Minutes of Virtual Meeting
March 2, 2022
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