2022-02-25 Hearing Examiner MinutesMEMORANDUM
DATE: February 25, 20212
TO: Edmonds City Council
FROM: Phil A. Olbrechts — Hearing Examiner
RE: 2021 Annual Report
SUMMARY: Two hearing examiner decisions have been issued since the last annual report to
the City Council issued on March 10, 2021. Each decision is addressed in reverse chronological
order below:
Brackett's Reserve Preliminary Plat (12/20/21): Approved eleven lot preliminary plat on a
2.47 acre parcel located near the end of 240th St. SW, adjacent to the Madrona K8-8 School.
Several neighbors expressed numerous concerns over the project. Their concerns were
understandable, as they have enjoyed a peaceful existence in a heavily wooded and quiet area
served by narrow streets and intermittent sidewalks. The concerns of the neighbors were
individually addressed in detail in the findings of fact of the Examiner decision. City staff and
the City's development regulations had adequately addressed most of the issues. The only
significant area of concern found needing further investigation was safe walking conditions to
and from school. Neighbors pointed out that 2401h was a narrow road with some site distance
problems that were exacerbated by cars parked along the shoulder. The narrowness of the road
and parked vehicles could potentially force students walking to and from school to walk in the
travelled portion of the road. A condition of approval required public works staff to investigate
the placement of no parking signs in this area if the vehicles did present a dangerous situation for
the school children.
Wastewater Treatment Plant\Carbon Recovery Project (8/2/21): Approved two variances
and design review to install a carbon filter and construct a loading dock within the 20-foot
setback to SR 104 for the City's wastewater treatment plant located at 200 2nd Avenue. The
carbon filter was proposed to be five feet from the property line and the loading dock one foot
from the property line. There were no other feasible alternative locations for the filter and
loading dock due to the functional requirements of the building and the existing improvements.