This is a response to Mauri Moore’s proposal to modify Edmonds city code in order to allow the City Council, our Legislative branch, to administrate in a political manner building heights in Edmonds (May 19, guest commentary “A building-heights solution is within reach in Edmonds”).
Her proposal, no matter how well meaning and/or misguided, would result in instability and expense to our city government. The legislative branch (council) is designed to make the rules and the administrative branch (mayor) is supposed to run the show fairly according to the codes set by the council. When this stability is threatened, as this proposal would surely do, the third branch of government, the judicial, must step in and resolve the conflict. Edmonds has had way more than its share of unnecessary lawsuits in recent years, and we do not need more.
Moore’s proposal would certainly fit with her recent statement that she wants a hotel built in Edmonds, with an unlimited height somewhere over 25 to 30 feet. It is clearly unacceptable.
The council has delayed action on building heights since Feb 15. It is long overdue for responsible action. Since the council is so paralyzed why not just put the building heights issue on the ballot this fall and let the citizens decide, as Councilman Dave Orvis proposed?
Ray Martin
Edmonds
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