2022-03-23 Planning Board MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS PLANNING BOARD
Minutes of Webinar Meeting
March 23, 2022
Chair Crank called the virtual meeting of the Edmonds Planning Board to order at 7:00 p.m.
LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
We acknowledge the original inhabitants of this place, the Sdohobsh (Snohomish) people and their successors
the Tulalip Tribes, who since time immemorial have hunted, fished, gathered, and taken care of these lands. We
respect their sovereignty, their right to self-determination, and we honor their sacred spiritual connection with
the land and water.
Board Members Present
Alicia Crank, Chair
Roger Pence, Vice Chair
Matt Cheung
Judi Gladstone
Richard Kuehn
Mike Rosen
Lily Distelhorst (student rep)'
Board Members Absent
Todd Cloutier (excused)
Staff Present
Susan McLaughlin, Development Services Director
Kernen Lien, Interim Planning Division Manager
Brad Shipley, Associate Planner
READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES
MOTION MADE BY BOARD MEMBER GLADSTONE, SECONDED BY BOARD MEMBER
CHEUNG, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF THE MARCH 9 PLANNING BOARD RETREAT AS
PRESENTED. MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF AGENDA
THERE WAS UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
AUDIENCE COMMENTS
None.
ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS
1 Student Representative Distelhorst arrived at 7:12 p.m. as previously arranged
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A. Review of Planning -related Bills from 2022 WA Legislative Session
Associate Planner Brad Shipley presented a review of the 2022 Washington Legislative Session. Big topics
revolved around housing and land use; criminal justice and law enforcement; transportation & infrastructure;
and the environment.
Major bills that passed of interest to planning:
• Housing/Land Use — BB 1866 (supportive housing), SB 5818 (limiting appeals), E2SHB 1241
(changing time for comprehensive plan updates), and 2ESSB 5593 (urban growth boundaries). Also the
State Budget had major investments to address housing insecurity.
• Transportation/Infrastructure — Move Ahead Washington (transportation package)
• Criminal Justice/Law Enforcement— BB 1630 (prohibits guns in government buildings) and ESSB 5078
(bans large capacity ammunition magazines with some exceptions)
• Environment — SB 5722 (energy benchmarking for medium-sized multi -family buildings)
Dead bills of interest:
• Housing/Land Use - ESHB 1660/SB 5670 (Accessory Dwelling Units), SHB 1782/SSB 5670 (missing
middle housing near transit), and BB 1099 (proposed new requirements for comp plans).
Looking ahead to 2023, it is expected that housing will be a focus with the same bills coming back. Mr. Shipley
strongly recommended that Edmonds look at missing middle housing before the State does it for the City.
Board Member Cheung asked if there was strong opposition to all the dead bills. Mr. Shipley commented that
there is a fair amount of opposition to these but referred to Representative Bateman's quote that they are
"definitely" coming back.
Board Member Gladstone commented that there were a lot of bills this session. One of the things that struck her
was that they ran out of time since it was a short session. She noted that often the more controversial bills take
more than one session. She commented that the way the transportation package ended up getting funded will
hurt everyone's utility bills which can contribute to homelessness.
Vice Chair Pence commented that one of the biggest hurdles was the removal of local control of planning. He
then asked Mr. Shipley about things that the City must do because of these bills. Mr. Shipley explained that the
change in times for the comp plan update will impact the Planning Board, but that is just a new timeframe. He
again recommended getting ahead of the missing middle housing issue. Development Services Director Susan
McLaughlin commented that the fact Edmonds does not have a Housing Action Plan would have put the City
at a disadvantage if the missing middle bill had been adopted.
Chair Crank was very happy with the Move Ahead Washington bill and the impact this will have on South
Edmonds on Highway 99. She encouraged board members to reach out to legislators and let them know how
they feel.
Board Member Kuehn asked how much the Planning Board would need to do to get ahead of the missing middle
issue. Mr. Shipley suggested using the bills they are working through this year as a a template. He also suggested
looking into the recommendations of the Housing Commission as a starting point.
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Vice Chair Pence brought up a letter to the editor in My Edmonds News by an Edmonds resident in the Five
Corners area about a missing middle project right next to his office done under existing zoning. In this situation
a house was torn down, and a fourplex was built. The fourplex units are reselling for $825,000 and up which is
not affordable housing by any definition. He noted that missing middle is not going to increase affordability by
itself. Mr. Shipley noted that sometimes what causes affordability issues is density maximums. In a form -based
code they could get rid of density maximums and instead regulate the envelope and size and scale of building.
Board Member Gladstone agreed with addressing the importance of local control. She suggested raising this
issue to Council.
Chair Crank asked Mr. Shipley to share the PowerPoint presentation with the Board. Mr. Shipley stated he
would send it to the Board.
PUBLIC HEARINGS
None.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
NEW BUSINESS
A. People Streets and Public Spaces
Director McLaughlin explained that this presentation was a request made because of an RFQ that staff had
published. The Mayor had mentioned he wanted a new vision for public space. This was spawned by questions
that came out of the pandemic. Director McLaughlin noted that 77% of public space in the city is made up of
streets which are city -managed property. During the pandemic a lot was learned about what worked for people
in public spaces. One question that will be asked in this process is what the City learned about public spaces
during the pandemic that will make for a better urban future. Another question is how to reallocate street space
to support a vibrant, green, and connected public space network.
Project Goals:
• Improve the Environment: infiltrate stormwater; provide more opportunities for supportive habitat; and
increase greenspace
• Create Social Hubs: identify locations that provide opportunities for social interaction; create places of
interest; and improve economic vitality
• Expand Connectivity: connect places of interest; improve safety for walking/biking; and create spaces
for social interaction
• Optimize Public Streets: movement of people vs. movement of vehicles; re -allocate street space from
under-utilized uses; and plan for all ages and abilities
The project approach will engage residents at the neighborhood level via roundtable discussions. The
consultants will take those conversations and look at right-of-way to develop a public space typology/toolkit to
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expand public space opportunities. Typologies will be developed to illustrate context sensitive, right-of-way
allocation. A new street typology map will be developed to advance the project goals. Pilot projects will be
implemented in six neighborhood districts. Public Realm Action Plans with 5-year investment strategies will be
developed to guide capital and private investment at the neighborhood scale.
Vice Chair Pence asked how many RFQs were received and how many were interviewed. Mr. Shipley replied
they received four and interviewed two. They expect to decide by the end of the month.
Student Representative Distelhorst asked if there will be plans for filtered permeability of roads in Edmonds
with this plan for people who are not in cars. Director McLaughlin commented that as part of this process they
will be looking at underutilized street space that can be adapted to people space. Some of the activation strategies
are streets that can also be utilized in different ways on different days and at different times.
Board Member Rosen asked how the Planning Board will be engaged in this process. Ms. McLaughlin stated
they expect the Planning Board to be heavily involved in this work. The scope of work is still being developed
but the Planning Board will be involved formally. In addition, she encouraged Planning Board members to be
involved in the neighborhood roundtables in their own neighborhoods.
Board Member Gladstone stated she thinks this is exciting, but she expressed concern about the large amount
of lingo or jargon around this topic. She thinks the language could be simplified so people can better relate and
understand it. She then asked how parking fits into the conversation. Director McLaughlin replied that it will be
a neighborhood conversation and will be discussed at that level. Regarding jargon, she stated that the jargon is
part of the toolkit that people can use to understand their options and the process for making things happen.
Once understood, it will enable people to activate their neighborhood streets.
Chair Crank spoke in support of giving attention to neighborhoods that are typically overlooked as mentioned
such as Perrinville. She really hopes that the roundtable discussions in the six neighborhood districts happen.
She encouraged the City to consider the accessibility issue and maybe utilize a hybrid model. She loves the
mapping idea. For engagement, she suggested that at the summer markets people could stick a pin in a map to
show the neighborhoods they are coming from. This will give a sense of who is coming to enjoy the activities
in the public spaces. Director McLaughlin agreed that any way they can engage the public on this topic is a
good.
Board Member Gladstone said she likes the idea of working toward pilot projects in different neighborhoods
because it can be inspiring for other parts of the city.
Vice Chair Pence suggested that when they show pictures of significant capital projects in the public realm, the
issue of costs inevitably comes up. He asked who pays for all these improvements and how the decision process
works for making these happen. He cautioned against promising more than they can deliver. Ms. McLaughlin
acknowledged his concern. She replied that the first step of a capital investment project is mapping out your
network. What they are doing is a very important first step. Part of the scope of work is creating a pedestrian -
prioritization network for sidewalk expansion.
Board Member Kuehn was very supportive of this project and of gaining a clear vision of what they want to
happen. He expressed appreciation to staff for involving the Planning Board.
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PLANNING BOARD EXTENDED AGENDA
Mr. Lien presented the extended agenda. Chair Crank highlighted the April 19 joint meeting with City Council.
She requested that board members let her know if they are planning on attending in person or virtually. Board
Member Kuehn said he would not be able to make it in person due to his family's spring break plans.
PLANNING BOARD CHAIR COMMENTS
Board Member Rosen referred to the news that the firm PRR had been chosen to support the creation of the
Equitable Engagement Framework for the City. In the interest of transparency, he disclosed that he is a former
owner of PRR and was a managing principal of while there. He left the firm in November 2017. He has not
been and will not be involved in this. There is no conflict of interest, but he wanted to make sure there was not
even a perception of conflict of interest.
Vice Chair Pence asked when the Planning Board will be able to meet in person again. Mr. Lien replied the
response he has gotten is "not yet". The primary concern is the staff support that will be needed to do the hybrid
meetings.
Board Member Gladstone said she really appreciated Director McLaughlin's update on the streets project. It is
helpful to get a heads -up on big projects like that, especially ones that are neighborhood -oriented like this one.
PLANNING BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS
Chair Crank thanked everyone for their attendance and involvement. She encouraged everyone to consider
when, if, and under what circumstances they would be comfortable meeting together in person.
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The meeting was adjourned at 8:15 p.m.
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