Edmonds limits building heights

EDMONDS – The City Council on Tuesday made official its expected decision to limit building heights to 30 feet in the downtown commercial area.

While three of the seven council members had previously argued for allowing buildings to be 3 feet higher to encourage development, they voted with the majority on Tuesday to make the 30-foot limit unanimous.

The council last week informally agreed on a set of guidelines, including one to require buildings taller than 25 feet to have the third floor set back from the facade. That requirement was approved Tuesday along with the height limit.

Employing the setback, informally agreed to at 15 feet, would be the only way a builder could attain the 30-foot height.

The council agreed on several other points:

* In the retail core around Fifth Avenue and Main Street, buildings will be required to have 15-foot ceilings on the ground floor for retail and could not exceed two stories. Elsewhere in the commercial area, the first floor will have to be at least 12 feet high. The council left itself open to removing the ceiling height rule for areas on the fringe of the commercial area that are borderline residential.

* The first-floor entrance must be from street grade, as opposed to a sunken stairway entrance.

* The council left itself open to considering exceptions to the 30-foot limit, such as chimneys, clock towers and elevator shafts for roof gardens.

The council will send its recommendations to the city’s planning board to work out the final details.

The current council majority and its supporters have argued that the city’s recent policy of allowing three-story, flat-roof buildings is damaging the character of downtown.

The other camp has argued that downtown Edmonds cannot thrive economically without larger buildings, which they say attract new residents and customers for businesses.

The decision was precipitated by a shift in the balance of power on the City Council, which the November election tipped toward more restrictive limits. Ron Wambolt, a strict advocate of a 25-foot limit, defeated incumbent Jeff Wilson, who along with three other council members was open to a 33-foot limit.

That limit was advocated by the city’s planning board. But members of the former majority, saying they wanted to further examine design possibilities, never voted to approve the height increase.

Reporter Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439 or sheets@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

The second floor of the Lynnwood Crisis Center on Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Lynnwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Funding gap leaves Lynnwood without a crisis center provider

The idea for the Lynnwood crisis center began in 2021 after a 47-year-old died by suicide while in custody at Lynnwood Municipal Jail.

Three seriously injured after head-on collision on Highway 522

The crash between Monroe and Maltby happened around 4:30 p.m. on Monday.

Fernando Espinoza salts the sidewalk along Fifth Avenue South on Thursday, Feb. 6, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Think this is cold, Snohomish County? Wait until Tuesday

Tuesday could bring dangerous wind chill during the day and an overnight low of 19 degrees

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

The Washington State Department of Licensing office is seen in 2018 in Seattle. (Sue Misao / The Herald)
Drivers licensing offices to close Feb. 14-17

Online services are also not available Feb. 10-17. The Washington State Department of Licensing said the move is necessary to upgrade software.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.