Council OKs critical aquifer recharge area code, hears fire service testimony, learns more about Landmark proposal – My Edmonds News

City Council Approves Code Amendment for Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas

Introduction

After more than a year of study by staff and members of the Edmonds Planning Board, the Edmonds City Council Tuesday night approved a city code amendment regarding critical aquifer recharge areas (CARAs). The council also heard a range of opinions during a public hearing on the city’s options for fire and emergency medical services (EMS) and asked many questions about a proposal for affordable housing on the Landmark 99 property.

Critical Aquifer Recharge Areas (CARAs)

CARAs are established to protect groundwater and public drinking supplies from potential contamination and to ensure adequate groundwater availability. The council voted 6-1 on April 16 to place the code amendment on the April 23 consent agenda for approval. However, it was pulled from consent on April 23 and tabled until environmental issues could be reviewed. Concerns were expressed by the Olympic View Water and Sewer District (OVWSD) about the city’s proposal to allow shallow underground injection control (UIC) wells to control stormwater runoff.

CARAs are treated as critical areas under the state’s Growth Management Act. In 2022, Edmonds was alerted to two CARAs in the city’s jurisdiction when the OVWSD appealed the city’s SEPA (State Environmental Policy Act) Determination of Nonsignificance for a stormwater code update. The two drinking water wells are Deer Creek Springs near the Town of Woodway and at 228th Street Southwest — both supplement the drinking water that Olympic View purchases from the City of Seattle.

Fire and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Options

During a public hearing on the city’s fire and EMS options, the council heard from residents who both supported and opposed the idea of joining the South County Fire Regional Fire Authority (RFA) — one of three options the council is considering. South County Fire in 2017 reorganized into what is now the South Snohomish County Fire and Rescue Regional Authority. As a fire authority, the agency can be funded directly through property taxes rather than receive payment from the individual jurisdictions that contract for fire and EMS services. The council is also considering contracting with the Shoreline Fire Department for services or restarting Edmonds’ own fire department.

Edmonds had its own fire service until 2009 when the city entered into a 10-year contract with South County Fire. In December, South County Fire sent a two-year termination notice to the City of Edmonds, noting that Edmonds still is “paying less for service under the current contract than the rest of the RFA.” The council hired consulting firm Fitch and Associates to analyze the costs of various options for fire and EMS, including South County Fire.

Affordable Housing Proposal on Landmark 99 Property

The council heard more details regarding a proposal for developing the 10-acre Landmark 99 property located at the southern edge of Edmonds’ Highway 99 neighborhood. The preferred proposal came from primary developer J2 Housing, a Seattle-based company that focuses on building affordable housing. The proposal includes between 826 and 1,000 units of “workforce housing,” with 648 units (80%) catering to those at 30% to 80% of area median income. The project consists of four multifamily buildings, retail space, and public open space.

The next step is for staff to engage in negotiations with J2 Housing, which would lead to a Memorandum of Agreement on Due Diligence. Staff plans to bring a request to the council in June to authorize such negotiations. The city would need to finalize its plans for its portion of the property, including the possibility of a community center or aquatics center.

Conclusion

The Edmonds City Council made significant progress on critical issues during their recent meeting. The approval of the city code amendment for critical aquifer recharge areas demonstrates the council’s commitment to protecting groundwater and public drinking supplies. The discussion on fire and EMS options highlights the council’s dedication to ensuring the safety and well-being of the community. Additionally, the consideration of an affordable housing proposal on the Landmark 99 property showcases the council’s efforts to address housing affordability challenges. These initiatives align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation), Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate
• SDG 11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries
• SDG 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities
• SDG 11.a: Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning
• SDG 11.b: By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels
• SDG 11.c: Support least developed countries, including through financial and technical assistance, in building sustainable and resilient buildings utilizing local materials
• SDG 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

No specific indicators are mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.

4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs	Targets	Indicators
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation	6.5: By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate	N/A
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.3: By 2030, enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries	N/A
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children, older persons and persons with disabilities	N/A
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.a: Support positive economic, social and environmental links between urban, peri-urban and rural areas by strengthening national and regional development planning	N/A
SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities	11.b: By 2020, substantially increase the number of cities and human settlements adopting and implementing integrated policies and plans towards inclusion, resource efficiency, mitigation and adaptation to climate change, resilience to disasters, and develop and implement, in line with the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030, holistic disaster risk management at all levels	N/A
SDG 11 Copyright: Dive into this article, curated with care by SDG Investors Inc. Our advanced AI technology searches through vast amounts of data to spotlight how we are all moving forward with the Sustainable Development Goals. While we own the rights to this content, we invite you to share it to help spread knowledge and spark action on the SDGs. Fuente: myedmondsnews.com   Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.   FacebookXPinterestLinkedInEmailWhatsApp You may also like 6. CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION Mattoon residents find clean water across city after drinking... by ZJbTFBGJ2T 6. CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION Trump budget proposal eliminates funding for Western water... by ZJbTFBGJ2T 6. CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION Asheville Water Resources Director David Melton accepts new... by ZJbTFBGJ2T 6. CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION Head of county sewer system is gone, just as $1.5 billion... by ZJbTFBGJ2T 6. CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION Mattoon Water Use Update (AS OF 2PM FRIDAY) – the X Radio by ZJbTFBGJ2T 6. CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION 9 Michigan beaches closed this weekend due to water quality... by ZJbTFBGJ2T About the author ZJbTFBGJ2T View all posts