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2019-07-24 Economic Development Commission MinutesCITY OF EDMONDS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMISSION SPECIAL MEETING July 24, 2019 COMMISSIONERS PRESENT Mary Monroe, Chair Scott Merrick Jamie Reece Darrol Haug Kimberly Koenig Margaret Safford Jay Hoag Neil Tibbott, Councilmember, ex officio Greg Urban, Edmonds Chamber, ex officio COMMISSIONERS ABSENT: Nicole Hughes (excused) Kevin Harris, Vice Chair (excused) Bruce Faires, Port Commissioner, ex-officio Nathan Monroe, Planning Board, ex-officio Guests: STAFF PRESENT: Patrick Doherty, Director Cindi Cruz, Program Coordinator Economic Development Commission meeting called to order by Mary Monroe at 6:01 p.m. 1. Approval of Agenda: Kimberly moved to approve agenda, Jamie seconded, motion passed. 2. Roll Call and recognition of absences: Nicole and Kevin were excused because of work. New member Jay Hoag was appointed by Councilmember Adrienne Fraley-Monillas and introduced himself. 3. Approval of 6/19/19 EDC Minutes: Scott moved to approve minutes, Jamie seconded, motion passed. 4. Audience Comments: None 5. Old Business: SAP draft memo review — Darrol is still working on this and will bring back before Commission at the next meeting. 6. New Business: Darrol brought up the idea of reviewing creation of a preservation zone for downtown based on input from mayoral candidates and Council. Appears to be growing support to do something about preserving "downtown". How to go about doing this and what would be EDC role in this process? Discussed at prior meetings and this idea had been parked to be discussed in the future when there is some time freed up in an appropriate sub -group. What is preserving downtown mean? Identify area, concepts (what is preservation district vs historic preservation) and what is relationship to economic development. There was reference to the 15' ceiling height issue and would this be a similar situation which the Council clearly did not want the EDC to review. Could wait until after elections to determine if there is still a will to review this concept. Patrick mentioned that most of the downtown is preserved by default because there is little to no redevelopment of existing parcels at this time. The zoning is so restrictive that redevelopment is very difficult. Scott asked about the burger restaurant and if there could be any action to encourage the owners to open the restaurant. Patrick responded that the City cannot force someone to open their business. 7. Work -group updates — Leads to provide goals and work steps to achieve them: Approved Meeting Summary Economic Development Commission July 24, 2019 Page 1 Development Feasibility: Jamie updated on major projects survey and reported the Development Services Department is already in the process of doing a survey so the EDC will not proceed with any plans to do the same. Will be following up on their process. Patrick will update the committee on the process. Business District directory: Currently reviewing content on website related to business districts. Hwy 99 District: healthcare/hospital, international district, and gateway. 761h Corridor will be pulled into healthcare/hospital district. Perrinville has three corners located within Edmonds. Darrol has reviewed the website related to what is actually in these districts. Information in studies are posted on website related to what the neighborhoods would like to have in their specific districts. Zoning information and information regarding permitted uses to be reviewed. Arts/Tourism: Kimberly updated on the trolley that will run on all 5 Saturdays in August. Patrick has negotiated with the trolley company to run 11 a.m. — 6 p.m. on Saturdays with five stops between downtown Edmonds and waterfront. Could have a positive impact on parking. A holiday trolley has been located from San Juan Island for the holidays. It will run three weekends at a minimum. Update regarding ferry audio podcast for cars in the ferry waiting line. A local comedian has agreed to record the message and Patrick will be obtaining the domain name "EnjoyEdmonds.com" url. Signs have been approved by WSDOT and just need to confirm locations. Directed to URL, includes photos and the recording of where to go in Edmonds. No progress on change in zoning regulations to allow hotel uses on waterfront. This would need to be a code change. There is virtually no chance a national hotel chain would locate there. It would have to be an independent hotel with 20-30 rooms. But it would be the only hotel location on Puget Sound in the Greater Seattle area that would be on a beach, creating a unique attraction. A question was asked about AirBnb and B&B's being allowed, permitted uses in town and they are allowed as long as they meet the zoning requirements. Business Attraction: Scott updated on coworker space in Seattle that he, Patrick, & Greg toured. Space is sold by subscriptions. Desirable to businesses that do not have an office space. Different from the incubator model as this provides an office space only. Greg has put together an idea to involve Port in this type of proposal for office space/coworker space. Patrick gave update that Kevin is trying to set up meetings with Swedish and major healthcare facilities to get them involved in conversation regarding their vision of what a collaboration can involve. 8. Liaison Updates (3 minutes per person): Council: Neil stated that he has heard from community that downtown is too crowded and it is pushing people to outside districts such as: Perrinville, 5-Corners, Westgate, etc. Elderly population have difficulties getting around in downtown. How do we serve the elderly community better? Patrick mentioned that there are 100 more free parking spaces for evening and weekends provided by the BID in bank lots that are closed on weekends and evenings. Chamber: Greg said 4' of July parade was successful, 92 parade entries, 40 minutes less time. Fireworks went well also. Taste Edmonds is the 3' week of August. 9. Roundtable Discussion (Council, Commissioners, City Liaisons, 3 minutes per person): Jay had question about retail space co -working space. Approved Minutes Economic Development Commission July 24, 2019 Page 2 Darrol attended both retreats and budget discussions and thought some of the priorities would involve issues the EDC could work on. Patrick gave update on parking study public scoping meeting on August 8. There will be an online survey form for people to fill out prior to the scoping meeting. Asking for input on topics citizens want studied. You may participate online or at meeting. There is a basic scope that has been drafted and this input will provide refinement of the scope and be presented to Council for approval to proceed. Mary asked if there was a desire to cancel the August meeting for vacations, etc. Scott moved to skip August and Kimberly seconded. Motion passed unanimously. August meeting will be canceled. Greg brought up special fund created by Chamber now available to provide aide to businesses in distress. Jay agreed to join the Arts & Tourism group. 9. Adjourn at 7:43 p.m. Next regular meeting: September 18, 2019, 6 PM. Approved Minutes Economic Development Commission July 24, 2019 Page 3