Editor:
Change usually make me uncomfortable. I need good reasons to support changes to places I like. Since Edmonds is clearly one of my favorite places I looked closely at the Port of Edmonds conceptual plan for Harbor Square. At the same time I looked at areas needing improvement in Edmonds, especially the large number of vacant commercial buildings, the struggling nature of those still in business and the loss of tax revenue to keep Edmonds the way we want it.
I believe that the Port’s proposal will rejuvenate the downtown area in a highly positive way. It is more likely to provide space for business that complement existing businesses than to compete with them. I expect that with proper marketing it will provide a catalyst for technology based businesses to move to Edmonds. New businesses could provide high paying jobs for local people and people living outside Edmonds who find it convenient to travel here. The availability of commuter rail, busses and the ferry (and a nice downhill route for morning bicyclists) and the housing units that will be part of Harbor Square will mitigate the increase in auto traffic that comes with growth. The proposed plan will also add to the pedestrian friendliness of the waterfront, provide further amenities for Edmonds residents and potential environmental improvements to the Edmonds marsh and Willow Creek.
Yes, I am concerned with view impacts. However I must give the Port credit for a plan that minimizes this impact. Vertical development also lessens the environmental impact caused by urban sprawl and decrease energy consumption compared to horizontal growth. Finally, the Port’s proposal for 3 to 5 story buildings is a far cry from the 18 stories proposed for Point Wells below Woodway and Shoreline. If the port was less interested in what is good for the community and more interested in revenue it could have made a much stronger argument than that made for Point Wells that it is on a transportation corridor and thus qualify for extremely tall buildings that would truly impede neighbors views. Once 3 to 5 story buildings are completed it is highly unlikely that they would be replaced by 12 to 18 story buildings in the foreseeable future, thus a redeveloped Harbor Square is more likely to preserve views rather than significantly impede them.
I find the Port leadership to be very interested in what is good for the community and very open to our suggestions. Now is the time to share our views with the Port and the City and help them set the stage for responsible growth.
Hank Landau, PE, Ph.D
I agree, we do need to fix the area near the waterfront. I disagree with the heights requested. Too many views of the water will be blocked. Yes, we need more income for our city, I am sure there are viable ways without becoming, as I’ve said in the past, another Kirkland.
Once the variance has been granted there, it opens the door for more and more variance requests, and they will most likely be granted as well. As I said in a letter to the Beacon and to the city council, once this all takes place, why don’t we just rename Edmonds to “Kirkland by the Sea” while we are at it? After living in Kirkland for 35 years, I left and moved to my next favorite town…now my favorite. Sigh.
Mr. Landau:
Yes, everyone is uncomfortable with change including the residents of Woodway, like you.
Woodway really needs a McDonalds, Jiffy Lube and a Starbucks. But those services are not allowed in Woodway. So Edmonds needs the Commercial General zoning not Mix-use Residential Zoning to provide those services to the residents of Woodway such as yourself.
How about a venicular from your house to Point Wells? So you and your neighbors take advantage of those 18 story buildings!
One of the items causing me confusion during the Planning Board Meeting Wednesday Evening was a slide titled “Harbor Square Redevelopment Options”.
The slide indicated an Economic Decision Criteria as follows: “Highest and best use of property as reflected in residual land value.”
The slide indicated that Residual Land Value would fall 10.23% if the property was redeveloped at 35′ height but increase 23.86% if the property was redeveloped at 5 stories.
The slide concluded that there is no incentive to redevelop at 35′ height but that there is incentive to develop at 5 stories.
A point of confusion is how much of the property has to be redeveloped at 5 stories to provide the incentive to redevelop? The plan does not appear to be to redevelop the entire site at 5 stories. Would portions of the property be redeveloped at 35′ even if the related residual land value would decline?
Hopefully, some clarity can be provided related to this. I know that there is more to determining what is in the public’s interest than just changes in residual land value, but it is one factor.
If so, why did he mislead by saying he lives in Edmonds. Is he embarrassed to live in Woodway and make such a statement?
I am continually irritated that there is no bus service through Woodway from Richmond Beach to Edmonds. Historically this route connected our communities in a favorable way. I can’t confirm, but my guess is that public transit is also not allowed through Woodway. This should change.
Of course the Port wants the buildings to be as tall as possible. They probably knew they couldn’t get 18 story buildings through the process so they went as high as they thought possible. I don’t consider this consideration to be in their favor. Let’s face it, they want as much money as they can get, they aren’t being “sensitive.”
As I’ve said before, just look at the development at Echo Lake to see how bad it can be. And once its there we’re stuck with it. Five stories is tall and casts a shadow on everything nearby – including the marsh. Please go walk at Echo Lake and get a feel for the true impact of this development.
Anyone living in the Town of Woodway also lives in the Port of Edmonds taxing district.
May I humbly suggest that discourse will be better served if everybody can focus their comments on the points being made, rather than on the people making them.
I am removing the city of reference at the end of Mr. Landau’s letter. That was part of a letter template that automatically filled in Edmonds and I failed to remove it. I don’t know which city he lives in.
Tracy:
I believe that Mr.Landau used his business “signature”. His business is in downtown Edmonds.
As long as this city council is in office it is highly unlikely 5 stories will be allowed at harbor square. I brought this up about a year ago at an ACE meeting. The proponets attitude was first things first. All of this time and all of this money spent to what purpose?
This project is going nowhere if it includes 5 stories. As far as I can see this is an excercise in futility
I want to apologize for my comment about Mr. Landau. He is entitled to his opinion wherever he lives. I just think that everyone should try to imagine how bad these buildings will be for the surrounding area and even up into the bowl. Five story buildings cast a long shadow and change the feeling of everything around them. Why can’t the five-story buildings go up along Hwy 99 instead of down where people are trying to enjoy the marina and the beach.
A video of the July 25th Harbor Square Planning Board Meeting is being televised at 9:00 pm on Channel 21 (Comcast) or Channel 39 (Frontier). I highly recommend watching this video if you want to learn more about this potential redevelopment as well as the related Planning Board comments and questions.
The message said July 25th, but it is the 27th today. Can this be viewed online?
Thanks.
It cannot be viewed online. The tape is of the Planning Board meeting that was held July 25th. It vwill be available for TV viewing for probably at least one week.
Correction: A video of the July 25th Harbor Square Planning Board Meeting is being televised at 9:00 AM (not pm) on Channel 21 (Comcast) or Channel 39 (Frontier). As Ron stated, it should be available for television viewing for a few more days. Tracy, I do not know if it can be viewed online. I usually record it and watch at my convenience.
Ron:
You are so concerned with facts.
Is Hank Landau still associated with Landau Associates?
Hank:
If you have time, provide the amount of effluent the Harbor Square project will generate to the Edmonds Waste Water Treatment Plant. It is my understanding you have expertise in these type of calculations.
He stated last night that he owned the building; I don’t know if he’s also involved with the company.
It is my understanding he is not and you are full of it.
Ron is full of what? I know he had a school lunch so maybe that is what is being referenced. That is the only thing I can think of. Ron always trys to add information along with his opinion but importantly the facts are usually things that we all need to know before forming our own opinions.