04/08/2013 Parks, Planning, PW CommitteeParks, Planning and Public Works Committee Meeting
April 8, 2013
Elected Officials Present:
Council Member Kristiana Johnson
Council Member Diane Buckshnis
Members of the Public Present:
John Reed
Val Stewart
Don Hall
Ron Wambolt
Staff Present:
Phil Williams, Public Works Director
Rob English, City Engineer
Carrie Hite, Parks & Recreation Director
Renee McRae, Recreation Manager
Rob Chave, Acting Dev. Services Director
Stephen Clifton, Community Services
Economic Development Director
Jeff Taraday, City Attorney
The committee convened at 4:00 p.m. in the Fourtner Meeting Room, City Hall.
1. Annual Special Event Contracts
A brief discussion was held concerning the annual Special Event Contracts.
� ACTION: Committee forwarded to Council on consent.
2. Interlocal Agreement with Snohomish County Fire Protection District No. 1 Regarding
Classes.
A brief discussion was held concerning the Interlocal Agreement.
� ACTION: Committee forwarded to Council on consent.
3. Discussion regarding development agreements / incentive zoning.
City Attorney Jeff Taraday summarized the distinction between development agreements and
incentive zoning, and that the two concepts could result in very similar zoning constructs, i.e. that
the city could identify benefits or developments that are to be incentivized, and the incentives
that the city was willing to 'give' in exchange. The best place to start would be for the Council to
discuss the types of things it wanted to see happen; this could be done city-wide, or targeted to a
specific area. Benefits could be things like affordable housing or open space, or specific uses
such as a boutique hotel in the downtown area. Incentives could be a variety of things, such as
additional density or height, or reductions in other requirements (such as parking). Incentive
zoning can be tailored to a specific location, such as Highway 99 or a portion of downtown. The
Committee discussed what areas they would like to explore, with most of the discussion focusing
on the potential for addressing the need for a boutique hotel downtown and whether some
incentives could be developed for Highway 99. The Committee agreed to further discuss the
incentive zoning/development agreement issue at its next meeting, focusing the discussion on
downtown and Highway 99.
4. Discussion of Planning Report
The Committee discussed how tracking of items referred by Council to the Economic
Development Commission or Planning Board could be done. Planning Board members Valerie
Stewart and John Reed noted that they intended to keep up their periodic reports to Council, and
Parks, Planning and Public Works Committee Minutes
April 8, 2013
Page 2
staff indicated that they could also post Planning Board extended agendas online, as is already
done for Council extended agendas. The Committee also discussed timing of Westgate and Five
Corners form -based zoning plans, with Councilmember Johnson indicating her preference for
moving Five Corners ahead of Westgate while Councilmember Buckshnis stated her preference
was to keep Westgate moving toward a conclusion. Planning Board Chair Reed said he couldn't
speak for the entire Planning Board, but he indicated the Board was nearing completion of its
work on Westgate and he felt that work could be completed within a couple of months and
should be brought to a conclusion. Acting Development Services Director Rob Chave indicated
that it would be beneficial for the Planning Board to have a clear consensus from Council before
changing its current work schedule (which has Westgate getting done first). The Committee also
had a brief discussion about timing of the Westgate Corridor Study and how that might affect
overall planning efforts.
5. Report on final construction costs for the Talbot Road Grind and Overlay Small Works
Project and acceptance of project.
Mr. Williams described the scope of work completed and the final cost paid to the contractor.
ACTION: Moved to Consent Agenda for approval.
6. Authorization for Mayor to approve release of a Utility Easement & acceptance and
recording of new Storm Utility and Public Pedestrian Access Easement
Mr. Williams briefly described the locations of the new stormwater and pedestrian easements
and why they were needed as part of the proposed Walgreen's Development. He also provided
information on why the existing easement was being released.
ACTION: Moved to Consent Agenda for approval.
7. Authorization for Mayor to approve acceptance and recording of a Water Utility Easement.
Mr. English explained the history of the Willow Townhomes and why the easements were
necessary for water meters and a fire hydrant.
ACTION: Moved to Consent Agenda for approval.
8. Authorization to award a construction contract for the 2013 Waterline Replacement
Project.
Mr. Williams gave a summary of the current project schedule and budget for the project. He
informed the committee that bids are due on April 16th and it was anticipated the construction
contract would be on the consent agenda for award on the April 23rd Council meeting.
ACTION: Moved to Consent Agenda for approval.
9. Quarterly Public Works Project Report.
Mr. English reviewed selected projects that were in construction or scheduled for construction
later this year. Councilmember Buckshnis recommended staff review the report at a future
Council meeting on a night when there was availability on the agenda.
Parks, Planning and Public Works Committee Minutes
April 8, 2013
Page 3
ACTION: Moved to Consent Agenda for information.
10. Report on Five Corners Roundabout Project.
Mr. Williams provided an update on the project schedule and right of way acquisition phase.
The project will not start in 2013 because construction would continue into 2014 and require a
winter suspension.
ACTION: None.
11. Proposed Interlocal Agreement between Snohomish County and the City of Edmonds for
the SR99 -228th St. SW Corridor and Safety Improvements.
Mr. Williams discussed the concept of pursuing an Interlocal Agreement with Snohomish County
for the possible use of condemnation on the SR99 -228th St. SW Corridor Project. The City
Attorney is in the process of reviewing the agreement.
ACTION: Item will be scheduled for further discussion at a future City Council meeting.
12. Public Comments
Ron Walmbolt asked about the Development Agreement that went through the Planning Board
back in 2011. He further stated that the Council had given this to Mr. Taraday to review and the
resulting document was the white paper on incentive zoning and development agreements. He
requested that the PPP committee look into finding this original document that dealt with
"incentives" as the developer only needed four feet to lower his rents by $200.
Don Hall indicated that the PPP should concentrate on a boutique hotel in the downtown area
and provided an example of Ballard opening a small hotel in its downtown. He stated rather than
concentrate first on the incentive zoning of Hwy 99, that the BD2 zone should be reviewed as
tourism can only benefit by having a downtown boutique hotel.
The meeting adjourned at 6:00 pm.