Parlayed into Dr. Seuss prose, the gist of the Edmonds City Council’s Community Outreach meeting on Tuesday was: “Ron McConnell, you must go. Leave with Rob Michel in tow.”
Hearing examiner McConnell and developer Rob Michel, who is also chair of the city’s Architectural Design Board, were lightning rods for audience anger over what they perceive as fuzzy interpretation of land-use ordinances and approval of variances that permit the unallowable.
The library at Sherwood Elementary was packed with 35 people for the informal council session. Usually a handful of residents attend “fifth Tuesday” meetings, conducted at various neighborhood sites. Council members Deanna Dawson, Michael Plunkett, Peggy Pritchard-Olsen, Mauri Moore, Dave Orvis and Richard Marin attended the voluntary meeting. Council member Jeff Wilson was absent.
Most were there to protest variances granted Michel for a house project he proposes for property bordering Shell Creek at 951 Main St. Councilmember Deanna Dawson, an attorney, waved off questions about the specific project citing concerns about prejudice given the Council’s role in a pending appeal of McConnell’s decision to allow the project to proceed with some mitigation.
Frustration over the longtime hearing examiner’s interpretation of land-use matters culminated in one woman “moving” to remove him from his appointed position. Although the speaker wielded no authority, the Council seemed to get the message with nods of agreement.
Dawson reminded the audience state law provides landowners “reasonable use” of their property or the city must buy it.
Mayor Gary Haakenson, who said he was there to observe, insisted the problem is with the ordinances, not interpretation of them. He urged the City Council to tackle revision of land-use code so there isn’t so much “wiggle room” built into it.
The matter is on the Council’s upcoming agendas.
Haakenson passed out a letter reiterating his stand that the city should buy only two or three acres of the former Woodway Elementary grounds for a neighborhood park. The Council has directed staff to purchase the entire 11 available acres for what’s expected to be a price of more than $7 million.
It appeared only a couple of Sherwood neighbors were present Tuesday night. Because the meeting was in the neighborhood near the proposed park, the mayor said he thought the issue would generate more interest. “If they (neighbors) were interested in the park, like they say they are, you’d think more of them would have been there,” he said.
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