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Council approves planning staff restorations, defeats proposal for in‑house structural engineer
Summary
After debate over housing coordination and structural review capacity, council approved several Planning & Development restorations and new roles but adopted an amendment removing a proposed in‑house structural engineer/plans examiner; the overall planning package passed 4–3 as amended.
The Edmonds City Council debated and approved a package of restorations and new positions in Planning & Development on Oct. 7, with a narrow 4–3 vote after an amendment to remove a proposed structural engineer/plans examiner succeeded.
The proposed planning changes would restore several positions and add roles including a housing program coordinator, an environmental programs manager and an economic development program manager to support implementation of the comprehensive plan, support hubs and centers, and improve capacity to pursue grants and housing partnerships. Supporters said a housing program coordinator would centralize tracking of multifamily tax exemptions, coordinate with regional partners and help assemble complex affordable‑housing funding packages.
Opponents argued some functions could be contracted or handled by regional partners (e.g., HASCO) and questioned the timing of adding permanent staff without multi‑year financial projections. An amendment to remove the structural engineer/plans examiner — a job proponents said would reduce reliance on external consultants for structural reviews — passed 4–3. After calling the question to close debate, the council approved the amended planning package.
Council asked staff to continue outreach with partners, track required reporting for middle housing and housing action plans, and return if additional staffing or contracting needs become more urgent.
