The City of Edmonds invites residents and community stakeholders to participate in upcoming Walk & Talk events to discuss how small-scale commercial and multifamily can coexist with existing uses in neighborhood centers and hubs.
According to a city news release, an informational online open house is scheduled to discuss this idea as well as options for code changes to allow middle housing in residential zones. These events provide an opportunity for the public to engage with city staff, share ideas and learn about the process for updating development standards.
Online Open House – 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 13
The online open house will provide an overview of small-scale commercial and multifamily opportunities in newly defined Neighborhood Centers and Hubs as well middle housing options (based on a state requirement to allow at least two units per lot in all residential zones). The session will include presentations on project milestones and an interactive Q&A. The link for the meeting is here.
Neighborhood centers and hubs Walk & Talks
Walk & Talks offer a 90-minute guided walking discussion at designated neighborhood centers and hubs. The session will focus on the unique characteristics of each area, with staff recording input on opportunities and concerns. Maps will be provided for written comments, and photos can be submitted to the city along with feedback. You can view the maps online here.
Participants are encouraged to bring comfortable walking shoes, weather-appropriate clothing and cameras to document their observations. Public parking may be limited. The city encourages walking or biking to events if feasible.
Those interested are asked to RSVP using the link here. You can also RSVP via email at 2025codeupdates@edmondswa.gov.
Schedule:
Thursday, March 27
Westgate: Meet at the street corner near PCC parking lot at 10 a.m.
West Edmonds Way: Meet at the traffic island across the street from Kebella’s Pizza at noon.
Firdale Village: Meet on the sidewalk in front of Firdale Village at 2 p.m.
Friday, March 28
Five Corners: Meet at the street corner near BARC parking lot at 10 a.m.
Medical District Expansion: Meet at the southeast corner of 212th Street Southwest and 80th Avenue West at noon.
South Lake Ballinger: Meet at the southwest corner at 76th Avenue West and 242nd Street Southwest at 2 p.m.
Monday, March 31
Maplewood: Meet on 86th Avenue West near Edmonds Adventist Church at 10 a.m.
East Seaview: Meet at the northeast corner of 76th Avenue West and 196th Street Southwest at noon.
North Bowl: Meet on the sidewalk adjacent to the Shell Station at 2 p.m.
Other Ways to Participate
For those unable to attend in person, comments can be submitted and project information is posted online at www.edmondswa.gov/centersandhubs. Some businesses in each area will also have printed flyers available. Participating businesses will be listed on the project webpage under each neighborhood center and hub.
For more information, visit www.edmondswa.gov/2025codeupdates. Questions can be directed to Navyusha Pentakota or Brad Shipley at 425-771-0220 or via email at 2025codeupdates@edmondswa.gov.
So I face a giant apartment complex within a stones throw Will it be built I don’t know but the city and the state are going to allow it no matter my opinion. Sucks to have no recourse but that is the state of affairs in Washington and seeing as my city is on board with them. I would have hoped my city would have fought harder for its taxpayers but again I am disappointed. Hopefully the property owners don’t sell until well after I am gone no guarentee. Moving to the country gonna eat a lot of peaches. I thought our elected officials were supposed to vote in line with the will of the people. It is obvious they have different priorities. Drain the swamp.
Jim, I can empathize with your frustration. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
The dynamics you have described here are important features of our market-based economy, which is designed to allow short-term, small-scale hardships (like your frustration about potentially living near apartments) in exchange for the long-term, global benefits that have emerged from allowing individuals & enterprises to freely interact in pursuing their own interests (in this case, that workers & their families will be able to pay less for the opportunity to live here.) The United States is prosperous because of our commitment to this system.
Our local/state/federal governments exist to protect the rights of their citizens, including the right of those who own land in Edmonds to freely contract with those who would like to build homes on it. This process is very literally why and how Edmonds came to exist in the first place, and it will continue to shape Edmonds for as long as we, collectively – and not just an elite minority of incumbents who are able to manipulate the force of law into a protective shield for the status quo they enjoy – wish to grow our prosperity, and build a better world for our children. (1/2)
(2/2) Several of our local elected officials engaged in significant public advocacy to advance your preferred views. See this letter from the former mayor Mike Nelson and current councilmember Neil Tibbott sent to Edmonds’ state representatives (https://myedmondsnews.com/2023/02/edmonds-mayor-city-council-ask-legislators-to-abandon-housing-bills/), or councilmember Vivian Olson’s advocacy in the Seattle Times (https://archive.is/d3uNW).
A 2022 survey found that Washington voters support legislation that would update zoning to allow more housing types across the state, with 41% expressing they *strongly* support such changes (see here https://www.sightline.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/Memo.SightlineInstitute.f2.2022.02.01.pdf and here https://www.sightline.org/release/poll-strong-majority-of-washingtonians-support-middle-housing-options/). HB1110 – the bill legalizing “missing middle” options statewide – was a bipartisan effort, co-sponsored by Democrats and Republicans in both the House and the Senate.
Edmonds’ voters have consistently re/elected representatives known for their support of zoning liberalization. Strom Peterson, who has been a vocal advocate and sponsor of every zoning liberalization bill for the last several legislative sessions, was re-elected last year after defeating his opponent (who opposes zoning liberalization) 65% to 35%. Because Edmonds’ turnout is much higher in state elections, more voters in Edmonds voted for Strom than voted for any Edmonds mayor or city councilmember in recent memory.
From the available evidence, I think state lawmakers are passing policies in line with the will of the people of the state of Washington. The disconnect is elsewhere.
It would be refreshing if government leaders at the local, state, national and international levels would be honest about their goals for repopulating the planet. If leaders had been honest about wanting to recruit low skilled labor from over 100 countries and plant them at various locations and pay for it with taxpayer money, we at least could have provided some input? Absolutely none of these actions are organic.
Wow this sounds like an amazing opportunity to learn about my community hub, I can’t wait to participate!