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Committee discusses healthy-streets pilot, anti-idling steps and EV-ready wiring for local code updates
Summary
Members added ordinances to the agenda and discussed next steps for pursuing a healthy-streets pilot, investigating anti-idling rules near schools, confirming 2022 energy code adoption for EV-ready wiring, and a possible tool buyback to reduce gas-powered lawn equipment use.
The committee moved to add ordinances to old business and discussed a series of local policy options ranging from a healthy-streets pilot to anti-idling measures and building-code questions for EV charging readiness.
During the meeting a member noted the city passed a healthy-streets ordinance last fall and described the administrative petition process identified in that ordinance: a street-level pilot requires neighborhood support (committee members cited a 75% household acceptance threshold) and review by the city's traffic-calming process.
Members proposed Brookside Triangle as a possible pilot location. Committee members discussed typical installation options used elsewhere ' signs, planters and temporary bump-outs ' and said the city's traffic-calming group and public-safety staff would need to be involved.
The committee also raised localized anti-idling concerns near Lake Forest Park Elementary, where parents' pickup lines routinely leave cars stationary for extended periods. Anne (committee member) asked staff to check whether a no-idling ordinance is already on the books; Tracy offered to contact colleagues and Matt McClain was named as someone who could help locate any existing ordinance or enforcement procedures.
On building and permit policy, members discussed wiring for future electric-vehicle charging (installing capacity to accept Level 2 chargers during new construction or major retrofits). A member said the city council adopted the 2022 energy and building codes in 2022 but asked staff to confirm which EV-ready requirements, if any, were included.
The committee debated measures to reduce emissions from gas-powered lawn and landscape contractors. Ideas ranged from a tool buyback voucher program to noise-based restrictions that would limit the use of loud, gas-powered equipment in residential areas and thereby incentivize electric tools. Tracy said a localized buyback voucher (for example, a modest voucher toward an electric replacement) is under consideration.
Assignments and next steps recorded in the meeting included: staff to provide the healthy-streets procedure and ordinance language, contact with the traffic-calming group and Chief Harden about safety and implementation, and an inquiry to the permit/inspection contractor about the city's adoption of 2022 energy/building-code provisions for EV readiness. Dana was assigned to reach out to the Lake Forest Park Water District about McKinnon Creek interlocal issues mentioned in discussion.
Meeting housekeeping motions: the agenda was adopted with the addition of ordinances as old business, February 4 minutes were approved, and the meeting later adjourned.
