EDMONDS – A building-height ordinance whose October expiration date went unnoticed by city staff was the first topic of discussion at the Jan. 4 Edmonds City Council Meeting.

Before it expired, the ordinance was awaiting discussion by the Edmonds Planning Board, which currently is occupied with the city’s master plan.

The issue surfaced several weeks ago while City Council members were in recess for the holiday season, Edmonds Mayor Gary Haakenson said. It also follows months of discussion and public hearings regarding concerns with future building heights.

“I’m unaware of any other time an ordinance has expired before the City Council can take action on it,” Haakenson said.

The ordinance, which clarifies roof and/or building modulation regulations in the business portion of the city, was put into effect six months ago, Haakenson said, and regulates specific building heights in that area to be raised from 25 to 30 feet through the use of modulated building designs and roofs.

City attorney Scott Snyder suggested at the meeting that a public hearing be scheduled Jan. 18 to address the matter and, in the mean time, there be a moratorium set on any applicable building applications. Council member Deanna Dawson made the motion to accept the movement, and Council president Michael Plunkett seconded it.

“This really just sets everything off for another two weeks,” Dawson said.

The mistake, however, most likely won’t happen again; Haakenson said a system has been put into place so that any ordinance adopted by the Council will be put on the extended agenda to be reviewed about one month ahead of the planned expiration date.

“It’s unfortunate it expired without the Council becoming aware of it,” Haakenson said, “because they could have just taken care of it and it would already be over.”