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Council adopts interim ordinance for neighborhood centers and hubs with clarified transition‑zone limits
Summary
Council adopted an interim ordinance affecting neighborhood centers and hubs and added language that preserves a 30‑foot height limit for portions of buildings that directly abut single‑family lots, even where incentives or bonuses would otherwise apply.
On Jan. 14 the Edmonds City Council adopted an interim ordinance implementing code changes for neighborhood centers and hubs; an amendment clarified how transition zones adjacent to single‑family properties are to be treated.
Details of the amendment
Council Member Dasch offered an amendment to clarify that the transition‑zone language applies to the portion of a building immediately abutting a single‑family lot or directly across the street, and that the 30‑foot limit applies “under any circumstances, even where criteria for height exceptions, incentives, or bonuses in this chapter are otherwise met.” The city attorney’s office said the language was intended as a clarifying, limiting provision and staff did not object to the clarity it provided.
Why it matters: the amendment tightens protections for single‑family lots that directly abut centers and hubs so a narrow portion of a new building will be limited in height to reduce the impact on nearby single‑family residences. Staff emphasized the provision applies to the portion of the building adjacent to the lot line rather than the entire development.
Council action
The amendment was approved and the interim ordinance was adopted by a 6–1 vote. Council discussion referenced prior comp‑plan work and the need for an interim measure while staff completes more comprehensive code updates.
Next steps: staff will apply the interim ordinance where appropriate while preparing a fuller development‑code update for council review.
