2023-12-01 Special Meeting - TourEDMONDS CITY COUNCIL
SPECIAL MEETING
SUMMARY MINUTES
December 1, 2023
ELECTED OFFICIALS PRESENT
Neil Tibbott, Council President
Vivian Olson, Councilmember
Susan Paine, Councilmember
Jenna Nand, Councilmember
FEDERAL WAY STAFF PRESENTING
STAFF PRESENT
Susan McLaughlin, Planning & Dev. Dir.
Todd Tatum, Comm./Culture/Econ. Dev. Dir.
Jeff Levy, Senior Planner
Matt Roewe, Roewe Works
FEDERAL WAY ELECTED OFFICIALS
Keith Niven, Community Development Director PRESENT
Chaney Skadsen, Senior Planner Jim Ferrell, Mayor
Tanja Carter, Economic Development Director Linda Kochmar, Council President
Susan Honda, Deputy Mayor
Lydia Assefa-Dawson, Councilmember
1. CALL TO ORDER
The Edmonds City Council meeting was called to order at 10:00 a.m. by Neil Tibbott in the Performing
Arts & Events Center, 2nd Floor Conference Room, 31510 Pete von Reichbauer Way, Federal Way, 98003.
2. DISCUSSION WITH CITY OF FEDERAL WAY STAFF ABOUT THE TC-3 PROJECT
Introduction:
This site visit was designed to allow Councilmembers to talk with staff from other cities which have gone,
or are going through, the process of developing properties which they own. This offsite was also an
opportunity to see the developments for ourselves. The purpose was to improve our collective
understanding of the process, risks, opportunities, and outcomes from these activities. Three sites were
chosen for the tour: Federal Way, Tukwila, and Burien. Federal Way was the only city which involved
interaction with that city's staff. The visits to Burien and Tukwila were designed to allow Councilmembers
time to see a completed development.
Federal Way Presentation:
Director Niven and Ms. Skadsen gave city officials a presentation on the background of the Town Center
(TC) purchases, including the history and vision for the properties. A summary of these topics can be found
here: https://engagefw.com/downtown#town-center---master-development-plan-3
Director McLaughlin asked about their approach to zoning changes related to urban growth. Ms. Skadsen
discussed their use of an economist to inform their choices when developers don't often have comparables
to judge feasibility.
Federal Way Councilmembers discussed the differing feelings in the community about multifamily
housing, and how that discussion has changed over time in the community.
Edmonds City Council Approved
Meeting Summary
Page 1
Director Niven discussed their creation of a subcommittee of councilmembers which met to discuss
development, with the goal of improving the collective understanding of how developers make decisions
and how that impacts the city.
Director Tanja Carter discussed the importance of working with property owners, activating spaces,
working with the Department of Commerce and their business incubator, and the importance of the vision
in making a successful development effort.
Director Niven discussed the site plan, and development vision. He discussed the phasing and construction
lead times, gave a high-level overview of the development agreement process and some of their
considerations.
Councilmember Paine asked about Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design and if that played a
role in their thinking. There was discussion amongst the two city's staffs about the importance of having
eyes on public spaces and how these types of developments encourage this.
Councilmember Olson asked about what other approaches the staff have seen used in the past. Director
Niven discussed his experience in Issaquah and their creation of complementary nodes as the city grew.
Edmonds staff asked about their experience in investigating Tax Increment Financing, FW staff gave an
overview of their process.
A discussion followed of private property redevelopments around the TC properties which may be
encouraged by the investment in the TC properties.
Susan McLaughlin asked about public perception when the city first bought the properties. Mayor Ferrell
discussed the process of buying the TC-3 property and the community's reaction to the rapid acquisition.
The discussion convened at approximately 12:OOp.m. After discussion amongst the Edmonds Participants,
it was decided to forego the visit to Burien and focus on the Tukwila Village site.
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With no further business, the Council meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:OOp.m.
Staff and Councilmembers left Federal Way at approximately 12:30 and travelled to Tukwila Village. The
two vehicles parked in different areas of the site and took a self -guided tour, staying with their vehicle
groups of two Councilmembers apiece. All members of the parties returned to Edmonds at approximately
2:OOp.m.
C5;-
SCOTT PASSE , CLERK
Edmonds City Council Approved
Meeting Summary
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