Loading...
2022-04-27 Planning Board MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS PLANNING BOARD Minutes of Webinar Meeting April 27, 2022 CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Pence called the virtual meeting of the Edmonds Planning Board to order at 7:01 p.m. LAND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FOR INDIGENOUS PEOPLES Board Member Cheung read the land acknowledgement. ROLL CALL Board Members Present Roger Pence, Vice Chair Matt Cheung Judi Gladstone 1 Mike Rosen Beth Tragus-Campbell (alternate) Board Members Absent Alicia Crank, Chair (excused) Todd Cloutier (excused) Richard Kuehn (excused) Lily Distelhorst (student rep) (excused) Staff Present Kemen Lien, Interim Planning Division Manager Susan McLaughlin, Development Services Manager Consultants: Bob Bengford, MAKERS Scott Bonjukian, MAKERS The Board welcomed new Board Member Beth Tragus-Campbell who introduced herself. READING/APPROVAL OF MINUTES MOTION MADE BY BOARD MEMBER ROSEN, SECONDED BY BOARD MEMBER CAMPBELL, TO APPROVE THE MINUTES OF APRIL 13 AS PRESENTED. MOTION PASSED. ANNOUNCEMENT OF AGENDA THERE WAS UNANIMOUS CONSENT TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. AUDIENCE COMMENTS 'Board Member Gladstone arrived at 7:10 p.m. Planning Board Meeting Minutes April 27, 2022 Pagel of 7 Natalie Seitz referred to comments the Planning Board made in response to the Draft PROS Plan public hearing on February 23. She expressed concern about comments that resources can't be spread across the city because they have to be where natural features are. There were also comments about the value of western versus eastern watersheds. She referred to a technical memorandum she sent the Planning Board ahead of the meeting which demonstrates multiple levels of structural and subjective bias, does not include equity factors in the scoring, and devalues water resources when they cross boundaries. She also expressed concern about decisions the city staff made when directing the content of the memorandum, both in the metrics used and how they are identified. She asserted that the idea that eastern watersheds do not have natural resources to support open space investment is false. She also referred to the statement that natural features are needed to be present for open space and noted that the definition of open space was changed in the latest draft of the PROS plan to include concepts of restoration. She believes this was done specifically to accommodate the acquisition of the Unocal property that was heavily industrialized with little, if any natural features remaining. She asked why the Planning Board uses natural features as a requirement for investment in underserved areas and does not apply the same standard to the Unocal property. She expressed concern about staff s recommendation to build a road through the Unocal property. Jay Grant, Commissioner at Port of Edmonds, expressed interest in the waterfront presentation being held tonight. He did not think that staff was recommending building a road at the UNOCAL site, but there is already one there in the abandoned area. He explained that the Port of Edmonds is a separate jurisdiction from the City of Edmonds. He invited the City to reach out to him with any questions. ADMINISTRATIVE REPORTS A. Edmonds Waterfront Issues Study Interim Planning Division Manager Kernen Lien introduced this topic related to the Edmonds Crossing project, which is no longer active. Bob Bengford, MAKERS, reviewed some background information, work that has been completed to date, some recommendations summary, and next steps. The project purpose was to identify strategic updates and high-level recommendations to be considered in the 2024 Edmonds Comprehensive Plan update to reflect new information about waterfront uses, needs, and issues. Scott Bonjukian, MAKERS, summarized work to date including an online meeting and stakeholder interviews. Live polling indicated that marsh restoration, flooding/sea level rise, and waterfront access issues were the top concerns for the community. Key priorities in written comments were enhancing the marsh as a wildlife reserve and avoiding development, planning for climate change, and retaining the unique charm, character, and natural features of the waterfront. Four top recommendations to address in the Comprehensive Plan are creating a new vision for the waterfront; recognizing and supporting the Edmonds ferry terminal's current location; prioritizing the Edmonds Marsh and Willow Creek Restoration; and planning for improved emergency management of the waterfront. Key findings and recommendations from MAKERS were reviewed for 11 issues which were studied: 1. Edmonds Crossing: The project originated in the 1990's and was active until 2005. Evidence points to the project being effectively cancelled with no signs of life. Planning Board Meeting Minutes April 27, 2022 Page 2 of 7 Recommendations: Update the Downtown Waterfront vision in a community engagement process as part of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan update. Address how each Edmonds Crossing reference should be addressed in the Comprehensive Plan update. 2. Ferry Service: WSF (Washington State Ferries) plans three -boat service for Edmonds -Kingston to increase service frequency and capacity. WSF has not analyzed impacts of train traffic. The WSF Long Range Plan anticipates a study of Edmonds terminal improvements. Recommendations: Develop policies that recognize the existing ferry terminal and its current location. When three -boat service or a vehicle reservation system advances, the City should collaborate on joint transportation planning. Adopt a transportation policy that calls for a ferry traffic study to assess the impacts of ferry traffic on the Downtown Waterfront. The study should quantify the current number and duration of train crossing closures at Main Street and Dayton Street. 3. Unocal Property: The site is zoned Master Plan Hillside Mixed Use (MP2) under a 2002 contract rezone. If a different zoning is envisioned (e.g., open space), the City must approve a new master plan as a comprehensive plan amendment, a planned residential development, or a contract rezone. Alternatively, the City or the property owner may initiate a rezone at any time. Recommendations: Exercise the right of first purchase by June 2023 or update the City's legislative agenda to include an extension of the right. Determine the community's desired future land use of the Unocal property. This public process is expected to result in a redesignating and rezoning of the Unocal property for open space purposes. If this is the case, additional recommendations apply for the process. Retain an outside firm to perform a development feasibility assessment of the Unocal property to determine its fair market value. These analyses should consider the site's accessibility, ecological features, contamination, and other customary real estate considerations 4. Edmonds Marsh & Willow Creek Restoration: The main action needed for restoration is daylighting Willow Creek and improving fish access to migrate, rear, and forage in the marsh. A sinuous channel east of the railroad will provide beneficial habitat for fish and other animals. Stakeholders have expressed interest in moving the creek further away from the railroad tracks than illustrated in conceptual designs. WSDOT has no concerns with this if public process, environmental considerations around contamination, and appropriate compensation lead to that conclusion. Recommendations: Continue prioritizing the Edmonds Marsh and Willow Creek restoration project. If Edmonds acquires the Unocal property, update the design options for Willow Creek restoration to optimize ecological outcomes and further improve fish habitat. Coordinate with adjacent property owners on pollutant control to minimize untreated runoff into Edmonds Marsh. 5. Flooding and Sea Level Rise: The waterfront is within a 100-year floodplain. Sea level rise of 4 inches to 4 feet is expected over the next century. The Edmonds Marsh restoration project in combination with extreme king tides, storm surges, and future sea level rise may increase flooding. Planning Board Meeting Minutes April 27, 2022 Page 3 of 7 Recommendations: Update/modernize Comprehensive Plan policies to prepare for future flooding and sea level rise. Plan for flood mitigation as an essential component of the Edmonds Marsh restoration project. 6. Railroad Double -Tracking: BNSF Railway plans a second track between Edmonds Street and Point Wells. It will be located within the BNSF Railway right-of-way. Construction is anticipated to begin in 2024. Specific design plans are not available. Recommendations: Create additional planning policies that support mitigation of railroad traffic. Apply to create a quiet zone, which reduces the sounding of train horns in exchange for upgrading crossing safety. Seek to minimize construction impacts and maintain Edmonds Station's full function. 7. Waterfront Emergency Access: Approximately 40 trains run daily today. The "gate down" time currently averages about two minutes per train. Future projections show 60-80 trains per day. The waterfront and marina area west of the railroad have special emergency access considerations because of the isolation. Ferry delays have been documented. Recommendations: Create new policies to jointly plan and implement enhanced emergency management services in the area. Pursue a previous recommendation to plan for a midblock pedestrian overpass. Plan an emergency vehicle overpass below Point Edwards to Admiral Way. 8. Edmonds Station Access Projects and Sound Transit Service: Commuter rail service is 4 daily trips compared to 8 pre-COVID. Due to financial challenges, the station access projects are delayed by ten years. Recommendation: Incorporate the station access projects into the Comprehensive Plan. Support the project's implementation as soon as possible. 9. Bus Service: In 2024, bus service will better connect downtown Edmonds to the Lynnwood and Mountlake Terrace light rail stations. Most lines will run every 15 minutes, requiring new downtown layover space. Future extension of the Orange Line and a south "emphasis corridor" are unfunded. Recommendations: Continue joint planning of the downtown transit center improvements and promote more direct service to the light rail stations. Add policy support for bus service improvements on local streets. 10. Port of Edmonds: Bulkhead reconstruction is ongoing. New administration building is estimated to be completed by 2024. No other projects planned. Recommendations: As they arise, continue coordinating infrastructure and development planning between the City and the Port. 11. Land Use and Economic Development: Edmonds stands out with its historic character, human -scaled development pattern, and walkable waterfront. The major properties in the study are well -utilized, including Harbor Square, Salish Crossing, and the Edmonds Waterfront Center/Senior Center. The community's vision for the level of density and vibrancy on the Downtown Waterfront is unclear. Planning Board Meeting Minutes April 27, 2022 Page 4 of 7 Recommendations: Visioning — Craft an updated vision for the Downtown Waterfront as part of the 2024 Comprehensive Plan update. The vision should clearly articulate the community's desires for the type and intensity of desired land uses. The vision should reflect market realities, sea level rise, and other conditions. Consider adopting policies that support working to attract a hotel operator and associated uses. Consider adopting policies that allow a wider mix of land uses in the CW zone. Support an adaptive reuse incentive program, which can provide technical or financial assistance to property owners. Continue efforts to finish the waterfront walkway. Explore infill/redevelopment concepts that explore the tradeoffs of modest and strategic development capacity changes in exchange for desired public benefits and amenities. Conduct a comprehensive parking study of the Downtown Waterfront area to understand current utilization, find opportunities for consolidated parking and shared parking, and analyze possible changes to parking regulations for off-street and on -street parking. The study should compare Edmonds and similar downtown waterfronts. Mr. Lien reviewed next steps. Questions/Comments: Vice Chair Pence asked if staff agrees with all the recommendations in the report. Mr. Lien replied that they do, and staff worked closely with MAKERS on this. Board Member Rosen asked how this intersects with the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Lien explained that the technical studies will be incorporated with the EIS (Environmental Impact Statement) of the Comprehensive Plan. Board Member Rosen asked about the visioning for the waterfront and for the Comprehensive Plan. Mr. Lien explained that these will be done concurrently. Board Member Rosen asked about public notification for the open house held in the fall. Mr. Lien explained they issued press releases and had it on the website. For the 2024 Comprehensive Plan update they are working on a broader public engagement strategy. Board Member Gladstone asked how they would evaluate the benefit to salmon of daylighting the creek. Mr. Lien explained that a key benefit would be refuge habitat for juvenile Chinook salmon. Board Member Gladstone asked Mr. Bengford about clarification of his comments that the vibrancy of the waterfront is unclear and there are some interesting economic assessments from outside people coming in. Mr. Bengford explained that in the Comprehensive Plan the types of development allowed have an impact on redevelopment. There is not a real vision for the waterfront properties. Additionally, there seems to be a desire to keep things as they are and prohibit development. The consultant is recommending consideration of strategic capacity increases. Board Member Gladstone asked what the public benefits and amenities would be in exchange for allowing increases in development heights. Mr. Bengford explained it would be up to the community to consider what those would be. They could be things like pedestrian space, connections, ground floor activated uses, parking, environmental benefits, or architectural features. Board Member Campbell asked what the average length of the trains is. Mr. Bonjukian replied that the industry standard for train length now is about 10,000 feet/2 miles. Also, regarding pedestrian and emergency personnel access via foot over the railroad track, she asked if they could consider ATV access for law enforcement and EMTs. Mr. Bonjukian explained that the proposal is to do a grade separated crossing which would be an overpass over the train track that would be open at all times and wouldn't be affected by the trains stopped or Planning Board Meeting Minutes April 27, 2022 Page 5 of 7 train length. Regarding having motorized access integrated with the pedestrian crossing, they would need to look into this more. Board Member Campbell referred to the "4 inches to 4 feet" of estimated sea level rise and noted this is an incredibly broad range. She asked if they can get closer to a target. Mr. Lien explained that the latest reports say 2 feet x 2100 and take subduction and rise into consideration. Board Member Campbell referred to daylighting of the creek and asked about concerns about the potential for flooding increases. Mr. Lien explained that the latest modeling had to install sea walls along the railroad tracks in the northeast corner along the marsh. Without those the whole waterfront flooded. Board Member Campbell asked for more data as to why that would be the case. Mr. Lien offered to send a link to the Council meeting where this was presented. What they were looking at is the king tides or rain events, there is nowhere for the water to go. Vice Chair Pence noted that double -tracking the Burlington Northern through the Edmonds Station means that riders would have to cross the northbound track for loading on the southbound trains, or it would require an overpass. He asked if this is an issue that will be studied in more detail for the Comprehensive Plan update. Mr. Bonjukian said that Sound Transit does not plan to build a passenger platform on the west side. This is another reason to look into a mid -block pedestrian overpass to provide options. Vice Chair Pence noted that if Sound Transit and Amtrak need an overpass to accommodate loading and unloading trains then presumably it could be designed to accommodate gurneys and/or ATVs. Mr. Lien pointed out that the recommendation includes coordination with other jurisdictions. Board Member Rosen commented that this was a fascinating report, and he appreciated the work that went into it. He referred to BNSF's planned double -tracking in 2024 and asked where they heard that. Mr. Bonjukian replied they heard it from a staff person at BNSF, but they were careful to say it is uncertain and depends on permitting and other factors. Board Member Rosen asked how much of Railroad Avenue BNSF owns. Mr. Lien was not sure. Board Member Rosen asked if BNSF had brought up triple tracking. Mr. Bonjukian replied they have not heard anything about that. Board Member Rosen referred to community engagement options, he recommended that the examples listed on packet page 28 be deleted since they are too limiting, and the City is about to engage in a much more robust process for the Comprehensive Plan update process. Board Member Rosen referred to references to height limits and asked if there had been any discussion about looking at height limits in a different way, such as through the lens of a shadow study. Mr. Lien commented that this is a touchy issue, but they can raise it during the public engagement process. There may be strategic locations where they can get more height for some public benefit, but this is unclear. Board Member Gladstone asked what happens next. Mr. Lien explained the study will be presented to Council. The visioning and scoping will be the first part of the process as they move forward. Staff is working with PRR to develop an equitable engagement strategy which will be implemented throughout the update. PLANNING BOARD EXTENDED AGENDA Vice Chair Pence and Mr. Lien reviewed the extended agenda. Mr. Lien noted there would also be a site -specific rezone public hearing on the May 25 meeting. PLANNING BOARD MEMBER COMMENTS Planning Board Meeting Minutes April 27, 2022 Page 6 of 7 Board members welcomed Board Member Campbell. Board Member Campbell requested assistance in getting up to speed on projects as quickly as possible and thanked the City for the opportunity. STAFF COMMENTS Mr. Lien noted that they have been interviewing for the code writer and hope to get somebody on board soon. One of the first things will be to address the multifamily design standards. The City Council is considering changes to the designated street front within the BD2. They extended the multifamily moratorium to June 2. There will likely be an interim ordinance until the permanent ordinance comes to the Planning Board. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 8:39 p.m. Planning Board Meeting Minutes April 27, 2022 Page 7 of 7