Edmonds council approves process to consider limited 2025 comprehensive plan amendments

The Edmonds City Council approved a process on March 4 to consider limited legislative amendments to the city's comprehensive plan in 2025, the council said during its regular meeting.

Shane Hope, Planning and Development Director, described the proposal as a procedural step that would allow council members to submit ideas for study, have staff and the Planning Board review them, and then schedule a public hearing and final vote in the fall. The director emphasized that Washington law generally allows comprehensive-plan amendments no more than once per year and that capital facilities amendments are handled separately in connection with the city's budget process.

Hope said the recommended approach is to approve the amendment process, then accept and compile council amendment ideas, study the selected items, solicit public input and return with recommendations for a fall public hearing and council vote. He urged limiting the number and scope of amendments so staff can do meaningful analysis.

Council member Ack moved to approve the process; the motion was seconded and the council voted to approve it unanimously. The council directed the legislative and executive assistant to set a calendar date to accept council ideas and to return the compiled proposals for study. Council member Dasch asked for a reasonable window for submission; staff said they will pick a date and give council members adequate time rather than an immediate deadline.

Under the approved timeline, the city expects to study proposed items during the spring and summer, allow Planning Board review, and hold a public hearing and final council vote in the fall of 2025.