Council needed more time to study code

It was with great astonishment that I witnessed the City Council not accept the city attorney’s recommendation to study carefully the new Chapter 20 of the city’s Community Development Code before approving it. It is a large rewrite and a very important document since it modifies the way the city, developers and citizens deal with permit types, process requirements, notice requirements, consistency with SEPA, open record hearing procedures, closed record appeals and development agreements. It appears to me that some of the council members demonstrated by their comments, or lack thereof, to have not read it thoroughly or understand the significant impact it will have on the future of this city. The new ruling passed 4-3 over the objections of Steve Bernheim, Dave Orvis and Michael Plunkett, who obviously had many concerns. Attorney Scott Snyder suggested several times that the council have a second hearing to no avail.

I also take great exception to the unnecessary pontification, admonishment and repetition of statement proffered by new Council President Wilson. It is annoying, time consuming and certainly of no value other than to promote his own political image. I find particularly offensive his lack of civility towards fellow City Council members. For the second time, I have witnessed his rudeness when cutting off a council member. It was also extremely rude of Wilson and unwelcome by all in the audience to take a citizen in the audience to task publicly during a council session while that citizen does not have the right to respond to any of the allegations. I am concerned by the negative attitude and repetitive pedantic orations of the current council president.

Thank you, Steve Bernheim, for opening the levy meetings to all who are willing to participate over the objections of Wilson. It is necessary for all to cooperate so together we might come to the best solution to resolve our financial crisis.

Betty Larman

Edmonds