Lynnwood council approves resolution to advance Edmonds School District annexation of old Alderwood Middle School site

The Lynnwood City Council on April 14 approved a resolution to accept the Edmonds School District's petition to annex the site of the old Alderwood Middle School and forward the petition to the Boundary Review Board.

The resolution (No. 2025-05) passed on a 6-1 roll-call vote after council discussion. Council President Nick Coelho, Councilmembers Escamilla, Bridal (vice president), Hurst, Lutweiler and Parshall voted yes; Councilmember Decker voted no.

Council members were presented with a staff recap and a district proposal that would place the school site within Lynnwood city limits and include intersection and signal improvements on Alderwood Mall Parkway to connect the site to the city right-of-way. City staff said redevelopment of the site would require updated permitting and would correct existing stormwater infrastructure that is currently not within easements.

"There is an anticipated increase in calls of about 50 CFS," staff said, citing the city's estimate that middle and high schools typically generate roughly 50 calls for service (CFS). Some council members flagged the projected increase in police service calls as a concern during deliberations.

Councilmember Decker said he was not persuaded annexation delivered clear value to the city. "I'm not in favor. I'm not convinced that there's value to Lynnwood," Decker said, raising questions about whether the district could pursue shared-use arrangements without annexation and noting the potential additional costs to the city.

Councilmember Escamilla disagreed. "I am completely in favor of this annexation," Escamilla said, noting that Lynnwood taxpayers already support services in the area and that permitting efficiency was a benefit. Councilmember Hurst said the annexation would allow the city's permitting process to support the district's schedule and said she supported moving the petition forward.

If the Boundary Review Board approves the petition, council staff said the annexation would return to the city council as an ordinance for final approval; the resolution authorizes staff to transmit the petition. Redevelopment-related permitting, including new easements for stormwater infrastructure, would be required as part of future construction.

Resolution 2025-05 was introduced as a motion on the council floor, moved and seconded, and approved by roll call: Coelho, Escamilla, Bridal, Hurst, Lutweiler and Parshall voting yes; Decker voting no.

The council's action does not itself annex the land; it sends the petition to the Boundary Review Board for review. A future ordinance would be required to complete annexation.

Proponents said the district's plan includes intersection improvements and signal work adjacent to the site; opponents emphasized potential service and cost impacts to Lynnwood. The council record shows the city and the district will continue planning through the Boundary Review Board and subsequent permitting steps.

Details: Resolution 2025-05 ' Accepts a notice of intention from the Edmonds School District to commence annexation of the old Alderwood Middle School site; directs staff to forward the petition to the Boundary Review Board; notes that an ordinance will be required for final annexation.

Next steps: staff will forward the petition to the Boundary Review Board; following BRB review, the annexation would return to city council for ordinance consideration and final action.