By Joe Scordino
November 5, 2024
Director Hope – Is it possible to incorporate an “Environmentally Sensitive” Zoning in the Comp Plan Update to address areas of Edmonds that either should not be further developed or would have additional development restrictions to address environmental degradation and protection issues?
Could this be a ‘stand alone’ zoning or combined with existing/new zoning in the updated Comp Plan (e.g., “Residential-Environmentally Sensitive”)?
The purpose of having this type of new zoning would be to put building permit applicants ‘on notice’ that certain areas of Edmonds may have additional building restrictions beyond what’s “covered” by critical area regulations to protect the human and natural environment. It would also provide ‘general’ guidance to City staff (and Hearing Examiner dealing with code variances) on applying more scrutiny on issuance of building permits in certain areas.
This zoning approach could be a ‘vehicle’ for the City to comply with WAC 365-196-335 – Identification of open space corridors in the Comp Plan beyond just ‘Open Space’ zoning to address wildlife corridors, tree canopy, and areas of inadequate infrastructure that will adversely affect critical areas.
Some or all of the landscape within the Deer Creek, Perrinville Creek, Shell Creek and Edmonds Marsh watersheds should have this ‘Environmentally Sensitive’ Zoning designation to prevent further damage from unrestricted development.
Edmonds’ unique coastal landscape and preserving our human environment is not well addressed in this Comp Plan update and I’m hoping this zoning idea might be one way to address that.
Thanks (in advance) for your response. I’d be pleased to meet with you to discuss this and complying with WAC 365-196-335 further if you wish.