2013-07-17 Economic Development Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION
July 17, 2013
The Citizens Economic Development Committee meeting was called to order at 6:03 p.m. by Chair Evan
Pierce in the Brackett Room, 121 5th Avenue North, Edmonds.
COMMISSIONERS PRESENT
Evan Pierce, Chair
Bruce Witenberg, Vice Chair
John Dewhirst
Kevin Garrett
Roger Hertrich
Debbie Matteson
Nathan Proudfoot(arrived 6:06 p,m.)
Doug Purcell
John Rubenkonig
Rich Senderoff
COMMISSIONERS ABSENT
John Eckert
Darrol Haug
Gail Sarvis
Darlene Stem
Teresa Whippel
Evelyn Wellington
PLANNING BOARD LIAISON
Phil Lovell
CITY COUNCIL LIAISON
Councilmember Joan Bloom
Councilmember Strom Peterson
STAFF PRESENT
Stephen Clifton, Community Services/Economic
Development Director
Cindi Cruz, Executive Assistant
Frances Chapin, Cultural Services Manager
Jeannie Dines, Recorder
PUBLIC PRESENT
John Reed
Bob McChesney
Council President Petso
INTRODUCTION AND COMMENTS BY CHAIR
Chair Pierce advised Commissioners Haug, Sarvis, Stem and Whippel have excused absences. He
welcomed the second Council liaison, Councilmember Strom Peterson.
2. AMENDMENTS TO AGENDA— NONE
3. APPROVAL OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION MINUTES OF JUNE 19, 2013
COMMISSIONER PURCELL MOVED, SECONDED BY COMMISSIONER DEWHIRST, TO
APPROVE THE JUNE 19, 2013 MINUTES. MOTION CARRIED UNANIMOUSLY.
(Commissioner Proudfoot was not present for the vote.)
HIGHWAY 99 TASK FORCE MEETING UPDATE
Vice Chair Witenberg reported on the Highway 99 Task Force's June 27 meeting. Those in attendance
included Task Force Monbers Jim Underhill and Ron Wambolt; Stephen Clifton; Rob Chave; Bob
Rinehart, Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Committee; and Planning Board Members Phil
Lovell and John Reed. Topics discussed included:
• Studying the zoning and use patterns on Highway 99 to maximize the flexibility of development.
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• Establishing more uniform parking standards or not having parking standards at all and allowing
businesses to determine the amount of parking they need to be successful. Parking standards on
Highway 99 currently differ by use.
• Transit oriented development (TOD) particularly around the two Bus Rapid Transit stations on
Highway 99, The owners of a parcel on 94 between 2361h and 238 ' are considering residential
development.
• Whether parking standards for TOD should be more restrictive to discourage cars.
• The impact of a TOD on the adjacent single family neighborhoods and the importance of
preserving the adjacent single family neighborhood.
• The church on 84 h and 2361h is also considering residential development on a portion of their
land, possibly senior housing.
• Swedish -Edmonds expansion.
Mr. Clifton reported the Highway 99 Task Force also discussed Behar's Edmonds Green project at the
corner of 220 & Highway 99. If the property owner can find a certain level of interest from office,
commercial, residential developers, he can move forward with the project. The plans for the site include
270 residential units, office, retail, restaurants and a large parking structure. Discussion followed
regarding parking standards.
ARTS SUMMITMIGHWAY 99 ENHANCEMENTS
Cultural Services Manager Frances Chapin reported the Highway 99 enhancement project is nearly
complete but has been stalled because the wrong banner arms were shipped. A ribbon cutting is planning
for the end of September.
Mr. Clifton advised of a meeting regarding the Phase 3 Highway 99 illumination project (22011, to 2121h)
on July 25. Ms. Chapin explained there is a significant need for enhanced lighting in the section north of
the current project; an additional grant was obtained. She reported on the 222"' Street project that includes
constructing a through road, adding a traffic signal and eliminating the left turn on southbound Highway
99 to 7ei. She hoped to add a decorative element at 76 h that coordinates with the International District.
Mr. Clifton referred to an article he authored regarding the grants the City has secured. A map of the
projects that accompanied the article shows that, contrary to what the public thinks, staff applies for
grants for infrastructure projects throughout the City and does not focus exclusive on downtown.
Ms. Chapin distributed an Arts Summit handout, reporting that over 200 people attended, half of whom
she did not recognize. She commented on the keynote speaker Randy Cohen, Americans for Arts,
breakout sessions, active artists and facilitated sessions. She plans to post information regarding the
Summit on the City's website including a list of arts organization and art related businesses. Mr. Clifton
recalled Mr. Cohen's keynote presentation was about the economic impact arts have on communities. Ms.
Chapin commented the Americans for the Arts website is a phenomenal resource.
Discussion followed regarding groups that will pursue the action plan in the Strategic Plan, opportunity
for the community to be engaged via the update of the Parks Recreation and Open Space Plan and the
Community Cultural Plan, information from the Arts Summit that will be used in the Cultural Plan
update, and young people's concern with cuts to arts education in schools,
FESTIVAL RETAIL INITIATIVE
• Building Inventory & Owner Meeting Information
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Mr. Clifton reported on the meeting he hosted with property owners in the BD1 zone to discuss festival
retail, limiting pure office uses in the BD1 zone. Roger Brooks attended the meeting to explain the
economic benefits of festival retail. Because only a few property owners attended that meeting, another
meeting is planned. At the end of the first meeting, several individuals expressed support; others wanted
to continue discussion but none of them expressed opposition to the proposal.
At the request of one of the property owners, an inventory of existing ground floor businesses in the BDl
zone was conducted. That inventory indicated the proposal will impact very few office -type businesses.
Many businesses will not be impacted at all as they are outside the 45 foot distance from the street.
Existing businesses can remain; if a space was vacant for six months, it would be required to be filled
with an allowable use. Mr. Clifton indicated one of his neighbors who owns buildings downtown but did
not attend the meeting is very supportive of festival retail.
Discussion followed regarding the vacancy at 5"' and Dayton, potential for an office use to locate in that
space without this proposed change, and intent of the building inventory to identify the number of
businesses that would be affected.
• Status of Planning Board Agenda
Mr. Clifton reported he is working with Acting Development Services Director Rob Chave to schedule a
discussion regarding festival retail on the Planning Board's agenda.
SWEDISH HOSPITAL GROUP — UPDATE OF KNOWN PLANS
Mr. Clifton reported Swedish -Edmonds is planning a $63 million expansion. More information will be
available following tomorrow's Design Review Committee meeting.
Vice Chair Witenberg reported arrangements are being made to have a Swedish representative speak to
the EDC,
8. SUB GROUPS AND RECOMMENDED ACTIONS, POSSIBLE EDC APPROVAL OF
RECOMMENDATIONS
a. Tourism
Commissioner Dewhirst reported on the Tourism Subgroup's review of the action plans they were
assigned:
• Shore I ine/Waterfront
o Not working on this and do not want to work on it
• Highway 99 International District
o Not working on this and do not want to work on it
o Believe Hwy 99 Taskforce should continue as lead
o Participate when planning is started in future
• Farmer's Market
o Not working on this but want to work on it
o Subgroup could be a catalyst for this project and wants to further investigate its potential
o Project assigned to a subgroup member
• Interim Storefronts
o Not working on this and do not want to work on it
o BID is the appropriate group
• Design — Arts and Culture
o Subgroup is working on this and wants to stay involved
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o Working on the promotional element with the Port
o Working on Visit WA mobile app with Edmonds Community College
• Downtown restrooms
o Not working on this but want to work on it
o Subgroup could be catalyst and wants to further investigate
o Research indicates longterm maintenance is a larger issue than building the restroom
• Marketing — Arts and Culture
o Not working on this but want to be involved
o Talks have begun with Edmonds Community College to undertake elements of this as class
projects
• Civic Field
o Not working on and do not want to work on it
o Land owned by Edmonds School District, City leases, lease up 2020
o High level talks are underway regarding future of the land
• Artist Live/Work
o Not working on and do not want to work on
o Huge undertaking
• Additional items the subgroup would like to work on:
o Communications and Promotion — Arts and Culture
❑ Subgroup already working on parts ofthese topics
o Fine Arts Museum
❑ Subgroup feels could be catalyst for this project and wants to future investigate the
potential
Discussion followed regarding the intent for each subgroup to review the action plans and decide which
ones they could effectively facilitate; other subgroups that may pursue action plans the Tourism Subgroup
declined; action plans that other entities such as the Port, Senior Center and Chamber are working on;
developing a list of action plans that other groups are pursuing and communicating that to the public;
recognition that some action plans will not happen without a champion; oversight and monitoring of the
Strategic Plan; creating a steering committee for the Strategic Plan with representatives from City
Council, staff, Planning Board, Port, EDC, Chamber, etc.; and identifying and meeting with stakeholder
groups to determine their interest in pursuing plan actions,
b. Technology
As he reported at the EDC's last meeting, Mr. Clifton relayed he, Darrel Haug and Information
Technology Manager Brian Tully met with representatives from Averatek, Ten Gun, and HDR
Engineering to discuss how to attract startup/smaller tech companies to Edmonds to utilize the fiber
network. He prepared an RFQ/RFP that will be sent to the Averatek, Ten Gun, and HDR Engineering
representatives as well as the CTAC and the EDC Technology Subgroup for review.
Discussion followed regarding where the RFQ/RFP will be advertised, effectiveness of an RFQ/RFP at
attracting consultants, funding in the 2013 budget to prepare a business/marketing plan, whether attracting
startup companies or maximizing use of fiber optics was the appropriate market, identifying incubation
spaces, cities' ability to sell excess capacity to the private sector, potential incubator spaces locations,
impact of Frontier's FIOS expansion on Edmonds' fiber, and the City's focus on commercial customers.
C. Strategic Plan
Subgroup did not meet.
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d. Communications
Subgroup did not meet.
Land Use/Business Incentive
Commissioner Senderoff reported on the Land Use/Business Incentive Subgroup's review of the action
plans they were assigned:
Activities Previous Initiated
• Permitting Processes
o Continue ongoing activity addressing process and costs: promote clarity reduce time and
reduce costs
• Economic Incentives
o Continue ongoing activity to adopt business incentives appropriate for Edmonds based on
those applied by other cities
Activities Not Initiated Da[e
• Street Maintenance
o Monitor activity of Transportation Committee, levy Committee and Council discussions;
consider related business incentives and/or incentive zoning regarding corn mereial/businus.
center renewal efforts
• Antique Mall aka Salish Crossing
o Consider potential activity along with Strategic Planning Subgroup; monitor for potential
future participation
• Swedish Hospital
o Monitor Swedish Hospital master planning process.
o Invite hospital representatives to present to EDC when appropriate
• Development Regulations: Highway 99
o Participate in planning along with Hwy 99 Task Force, Planning Board and Chamber
• Artist live/work
Previous Involvement Brought to Conclusion
• Development Regulations: Ground Floor Retail Requirements
o Previous involvement regarding festival retail for BD1 Zone
o Continue monitoring and consider discussing Planning Board and potential Council action by
EDC with possible resolution supporting same
• Development Regulations: Commercial Districts
o See Westgate, 5-Comers
• Harbor Square
o Consider potential activity along with Strategic Plan Subgroup, monitor for potential future
participation
• Design Standards
o Council approved incorporating design controls for BD1 throughout BD zones
o Consider additional activity along with Strategic Planning Subgroup
• Development Regulations: Westgate
o Council approved planning activity by UW Green Futures Lab — completed and moved to
Planning Board
o Continue monitoring and consider discussing Planning Board final recommendation by EDC
with possible resolution supporting same
• Development Regulations: DownlownlWalerfront
o See ground floor retail requirements, Salish Crossing, Design Standards, Harbor Square
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• Development Regulations: 5 Corners
o See Westgate
Mr. Clifton encouraged Commissioners to attend the UW representatives' presentation to the Council
next week regarding the Westgate draft form -based code.
Vice Chair Witenberg suggested the EDC consider formally adopting the Tourism and Land
Use/Business Inceptives Subgroups reports on action plan items. Discussion followed regarding deferring
any formal action until more Commissioners were present and a preference to not adopt the reports and
allow subgroups to provide updates.
9. MISCELLANEOUS
Mr. Clifton representatives from Kingston Chamber of Commerce and Kitsap County officials visited
Edmonds in May; they were interested in the EDC, the Strategic Plan and economic development
activities. Representatives from Vashon Island and Bainbridge Island plan to visit the City to learn about
economic development activities. He referred to a King 5 Evening Magazine story regarding segways that
mentioned Edmonds.
It was agreed to cancel the August EDC meeting
Chair Pierce inquired about applications for the EDC vacancies. Ms. Cruz reported five applications have
been received; the deadline for applications is next week. The applications will be provided to
Councilmembers Bloom and Buckshnis who will announce their selections at a City Council meeting.
Vice Chair Witenberg suggested the appointments be made before the September EDC meeting.
Chair Pierce reiterated the suggestion to develop a list of external groups working on Strategic Plan action
plan items. Mr. Clifton offered to forward a list that the Planning Board has created. Commissioner
Senderoff encouraged Commissioners to google San Carlos, California's Strategic Plan. Mr. Clifton said
Shoreline's Strategic Plan monitoring process is a good example.
Chair Pierce commented on the importance of planning to ensure outcomes. He provided an example of
the opposite, a sign on a former gas station at the corner of 2386 & 1001h, which is a neighborhood
gateway. Chair Pierce reported on a tree stump that the property owners carved into a hand with the
fingers in a peace sign -
Commissioner Proudfoot reported Yost Pool was the only pool listed in the YMCA's list of best
locations.
10. AUDIENCE COMMENTS - None
12. ADJOURN
With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:49 p.m.
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