Published: Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Future plans with urban style in Edmonds
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Contributed
Researchers suggested neighborhoods with a complete assortment of services in a compact fashion that connects commercial and residential areas with walkways and good traffic patterns. Visions for Westgate and Five Corners include such features as a fountain-studded roundabout, tree-lined streets, rain gardens, public art, and improved sidewalks and bike routes in addition to designated retail and residential spaces.
EDMONDS — City planners envision a future for Edmonds that has a contemporary, urban feel with mixed-use buildings going two to four stories, plenty of public spaces and an integrated transportation system.
City Council voted June 27 to advance suggestions from a University of Washington-led study that would have the city switch from classic zoning codes to a “form-based zoning” system.
Form-based zoning differs from conventional zoning in that it is as interested in the character of a neighborhood as much as its land-use types.
“This is not a master plan,” said Jill Sterrett, an affiliate instructor of urban design and planning with the university’s College of Built Environments. “(Form-based codes) are simply a way to look at how buildings could be oriented and spaces configured.”
Councilwoman Lora Petso was the lone dissenting vote.
Westgate and Five Corners were identified last year as two areas ripe for redevelopment.
The UW’s Green Futures Design Lab was brought in to do some survey and design work. Cascade Land Conservancy helped gather feedback and requests from residents at public forums, which were wrapped up in May. The city’s Economic Development Commission and City Council got a look at the results in June.
Researchers suggest neighborhoods with a complete assortment of services in a compact fashion that connects commercial and residential areas with walkways and good traffic patterns. Visions for Westgate and Five Corners include such features as a fountain-studded roundabout, tree-lined streets, rain gardens, public art, and improved sidewalks and bike routes in addition to designated retail and residential spaces.
Now the studies are in the hands of the planning board to further review and refine, setting the stage for a potential shift in city codes.
Following the board’s review, an additional public input meeting will be held, likely this fall, before the topic is formally debated by council by year’s end.
“We definitely need to get some creative thinking in our future planning,” Councilman Steve Bernheim said. “I’m eager to get the planning board to prioritize this.”
Nothing is expected to change immediately even if a new zoning system is approved.
“This is a long-term planning approach,” said Rob Chave, planning manager for the city. “These are concepts and ideas.”
Area residents had their say in interviews and public forums. The most popular requests were for increasing public spaces, including plazas and green spaces. Residents said business fronts should be at the sidewalks and identified restaurants and bakeries as the services most needed.
The studies also identified transportation planning as needing to be included in code changes.
On June 24 Mayor Mike Cooper took that advice to heart, signing a “Complete Streets” ordinance that council had passed unanimously at the June 29 meeting. That law calls for particular design elements of future transportation projects. Accommodation for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users and persons of all abilities will be taken into consideration.
“‘Complete Streets’ will make Edmonds a safer, healthier and more environmentally sound community,” said Strom Peterson, council president.
City Council voted June 27 to advance suggestions from a University of Washington-led study that would have the city switch from classic zoning codes to a “form-based zoning” system.
Form-based zoning differs from conventional zoning in that it is as interested in the character of a neighborhood as much as its land-use types.
“This is not a master plan,” said Jill Sterrett, an affiliate instructor of urban design and planning with the university’s College of Built Environments. “(Form-based codes) are simply a way to look at how buildings could be oriented and spaces configured.”
Councilwoman Lora Petso was the lone dissenting vote.
Westgate and Five Corners were identified last year as two areas ripe for redevelopment.
The UW’s Green Futures Design Lab was brought in to do some survey and design work. Cascade Land Conservancy helped gather feedback and requests from residents at public forums, which were wrapped up in May. The city’s Economic Development Commission and City Council got a look at the results in June.
Researchers suggest neighborhoods with a complete assortment of services in a compact fashion that connects commercial and residential areas with walkways and good traffic patterns. Visions for Westgate and Five Corners include such features as a fountain-studded roundabout, tree-lined streets, rain gardens, public art, and improved sidewalks and bike routes in addition to designated retail and residential spaces.
Now the studies are in the hands of the planning board to further review and refine, setting the stage for a potential shift in city codes.
Following the board’s review, an additional public input meeting will be held, likely this fall, before the topic is formally debated by council by year’s end.
“We definitely need to get some creative thinking in our future planning,” Councilman Steve Bernheim said. “I’m eager to get the planning board to prioritize this.”
Nothing is expected to change immediately even if a new zoning system is approved.
“This is a long-term planning approach,” said Rob Chave, planning manager for the city. “These are concepts and ideas.”
Area residents had their say in interviews and public forums. The most popular requests were for increasing public spaces, including plazas and green spaces. Residents said business fronts should be at the sidewalks and identified restaurants and bakeries as the services most needed.
The studies also identified transportation planning as needing to be included in code changes.
On June 24 Mayor Mike Cooper took that advice to heart, signing a “Complete Streets” ordinance that council had passed unanimously at the June 29 meeting. That law calls for particular design elements of future transportation projects. Accommodation for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users and persons of all abilities will be taken into consideration.
“‘Complete Streets’ will make Edmonds a safer, healthier and more environmentally sound community,” said Strom Peterson, council president.