We are upset to see that the Edmonds Development Services Department is considering a proposal which would allow structures of 60 feet and 75 feet on the old Safeway property (190 Sunset Ave.). We thought that kind of foolishness ended with all of the uproar over building heights last summer.
Several buildings have been built in this neighborhood in the past few years, including the one in which we live. All have been limited to 30 feet. Why now should a developer be allowed to go higher? The city council majority seems to want that to happen quickly, regardless of the views of the citizenry.
Our home is directly across from the proposed development and we feel we, as well as the rest of the city, would be cut off from the waterfront by such large buildings. We know something needs to be built to replace the current ugliness of that site. Does it have to replace short ugliness with tall ugliness? Also, has anyone considered that the site is a former swamp? We at 110 James are reminded occasionally when tide water rises in our under-building garage. Will the ground structure beneath those tall buildings support them adequately or will we have “The Leaning Towers of Edmonds”?
Edmonds has long been reputed to be a friendly, livable town. Do we want to be another Kirkland or can we be happy continuing to be friendly, livable and non-pretentious? We have lived in and near Edmonds for over 50 years and find it quite satisfying the way it is.
James L. Lockhart
Edmonds
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