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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. Cam\ 1:1IR :1]eI 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 Page 2