Public Has Chance to Comment Again on Harbor Square Master Plan

Edmonds residents have another chance to comment on the proposed Harbor Square Master Plan, which would allow redevelopment of the area.

The City Council will hold a public hearing Tuesday, Jan. 29. Click here for the agenda item, which includes background detail on the proposal and discussions to date. The hearing is set to start at 7 p.m., after the council first convenes at 6:15 p.m. and goes into executive session.

After the most recent public hearing in December, a number of people sent the council their thoughts on the development possibilities, with some worried that they will lose views along the waterfront, and others pleased with the potential for more development as well as positive impact on the Edmonds Marsh.

A sampling:

• "WE are absolutely against the 55 foot tall buildings!!"
• "With the proposed development we will be Kirkland, and many, many other new developments. We will have lost our funky edge!"
• "I believe this would bring added vitality, increase tax base, and will continue to put Edmonds on the map as a fabulous destination city."

(Click here and choose "Exhibit 5--Additional Correspondence" to read more of those comments, also attached as a PDF to this story.)

Both the City of Edmonds and the Edmonds Chamber of Commerce support the redevelopment of Harbor Square.

The Harbor Square Master Plan envisions a mixed-use, transit-oriented development. The mixed-use nature of the Master Plan will allow for retail, commercial, office and public uses, as well as residential housing.

Previous coverage of the Harbor Square Master Plan can be found here.