By Joan Bloom
November 7, 2024
Council, Mayor Rosen, Shane Hope,
I am in total support of Joe Scordino’s suggestion. Especially in light of the results of the national elections. The urgency of protecting our critical areas and our air and water for future generations couldn’t be more important than it is right now.
Please also incorporate the reality of the immense geographically sensitive areas at the waterfront, in particular the Seismic Hazard Area, which I will again provide code reference to:
Our Critical Areas Ordinance states the following allowed uses in seismic hazard areas: https://edmonds.municipal.codes/ECDC/23.80
B. Seismic Hazard Areas. The following activities are allowed within seismic hazard areas:
1. Construction of new buildings with less than 2,500 square feet of floor area or roof area, whichever is greater, and which are not residential structures or used as places of employment or public assembly;
2. Additions to existing single-story residences that are 250 square feet or less; and
3. Installation of fences. [Ord. 4314 § 105 (Exh. A), 2023; Ord. 4026 § 1 (Att. A), 2016; Ord. 3527 § 2, 2004].
Please note that our CAO does not allow RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURES in seismic hazard areas, yet McLaughlin’s draft Comp Plan includes “Mixed Use Residential” on or directly beside the seismic hazard area at the waterfront. Think of the cost to build there. And think of the cost to insure those buildings, if they could even be insured. From Meterologist Todd Gross:
“That kind of thing is something I think we really need to start paying attention to, in terms of building on the coast and in terms of just generally, the earth in general,” Gross says. “Commercial and residential areas shouldn’t be built up right near the shoreline.”
Respectfully,
Joan Bloom