EVERETT — Changes to Edmonds’ comprehensive plan to sell city parks and buildings may be off the table, according to a City Council work session agenda from April 15.
In December 2024, the Edmonds City Council passed the comprehensive plan — a 20-year development plan — to meet the state’s deadline, with the intention of passing minor amendments this year.
In late March, council members submitted potential amendments to send to the planning department for study. Council member Vivian Olson suggested selling Hummingbird Hill Park and the Meadowdale Clubhouse. Council President Neil Tibbott proposed selling the Wade James Theater. Both members proposed selling the Frances Anderson Center.
On April 1, more than 60 residents spoke at a public comment session lasting more than two hours. Most speakers urged the council to find other solutions to the city’s budget crisis. On April 22, residents will decide whether to annex into the regional fire authority, saving the city $6.5 million. The council may also place a levy lid lift on the ballot in November. If one or both of these measures fail, the city has said it may look into cuts to police, roads and parks.
At the request of Olson and Tibbott, the council was scheduled to discuss removing the amendments at the April 15 meeting of the Council Committee of the Whole.
At the April 1 meeting, the council approved amendments from council members Olson, Chris Eck and Will Chen to revisit the North Bowl Hub designation and an amendment from council member Michelle Dotsch to establish a Critical Areas Program.
The council will continue to vote on comprehensive plan amendments at a future business meeting. Thirteen other amendments are still on the table, including rezoning City Hall and increasing height limits near Lake Ballinger and the Highway 99 International District.
At the meeting, the council was is also set to discuss a budget amendment. The amendment includes changes to the Tree Fund and Parks Construction funding, adjustments from completed capital projects and $1.8 million in cuts Mayor Mike Rosen proposed at a March council meeting.
Other agenda items included include an agreement for Stage 3 of the Highway 99 Revitalization project, an update on the 88th Avenue Overlay and Sidewalk Repair Project, and code work updates for Neighborhood Centers and Hubs and Middle Housing.
Jenna Peterson: 425-339-3486; jenna.peterson@heraldnet.com; X: @jennarpetersonn.
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