Shoreline City Council Regular Meeting - January 27, 2025
Shoreline City Council Regular Meeting - January 27, 2025
The Shoreline City Council held its regular meeting on Monday, January 27, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at Shoreline City Hall. The meeting included a Lunar New Year proclamation, general public comments, approval of the consent calendar, and unanimous adoption of two ordinances: interim regulations protecting large trees in Town Center zones (Ordinance 1031) and updated park impact fees (Ordinance 1013). The council also held a 20-minute executive session on property acquisition.
Proclamation
- Mayor Roberts proclaimed January 27, 2025 as International Holocaust Remembrance Day and proclaimed the 2025 Lunar New Year as the Year of the Snake in the City of Shoreline, encouraging residents to join in celebrating the occasion.
Public Comments & Testimony
General Public Comment:
- Alan Charnley (Shoreline) expressed excitement about new code promoting low-income housing but raised concern that their apartment building discontinued recycling services, urging the city to help apartment buildings maintain recycling.
- Yong Qu (Seattle) requested city support to expedite Comcast’s permit process for upgrading internet service at a new restaurant location in Shoreline, noting current delays of up to six months.
- Angelina Vaughn (Shoreline) expressed appreciation for the flashing pedestrian lights installed in Ridgecrest, stating they provide peace of mind for crossing safely.
- Lathean Wene (Shoreline) spoke about pedestrian safety, noting that cars do not stop for pedestrians and that someone will get hit if nothing is done.
Public Comment on Ordinance 1031 (Tree Regulations):
- Robert McCaughan (Shoreline) stated that the ordinance appears to target a single non-native sequoia tree on his property, and requested exceptions for non-native species, trees damaging roads/affecting handicapped persons, and hazardous trees. He argued the tree is brittle and dangerous.
- Therasa Alston (Windermere) described damage from tree roots and debris affecting neighboring properties and requested the council inspect the site before deciding on the ordinance.
- Kathleen Russell (Tree Preservation Code Team) supported the ordinance and asked the council to extend interim regulations to all residential zones, emphasizing that large trees are vital for carbon sequestration and storm resistance.
Consent Calendar
- The council approved by unanimous consent (7-0) the meeting minutes of December 9, 2024 (regular) and December 16, 2024 (special), and expenses and payroll as of January 17, 2025 in the amount of $10,316,642.93.
Action Items
Ordinance No. 1031 – Interim Tree Regulations
- Senior Planner Sierra Carson presented the ordinance, which prohibits removal of healthy trees 60 inches diameter at breast height (DBH) or greater in the Town Center 3 (TC3) and Town Center 4 (TC4) zoning districts for six months, with exemptions for hazardous trees as defined in SMC 20.20.048. Councilmembers John Ramsdell and Annette Ademasu sponsored the item.
- The council opened a public comment period (above), then discussed the ordinance. Councilmember Ramsdell noted that a 60-inch DBH tree could be 300–400 years old, calling it a moral and ethical responsibility to protect such trees. Councilmember Ademasu said she had visited the site and noted root damage may have resulted from lack of watering after Bank of America left. Councilmember Betsy Robertson emphasized the interim nature and support for saving large trees.
- Motion: Councilmember Ramsdell moved to adopt Ordinance 1031; Councilmember Ademasu seconded. The motion passed 7-0. A public hearing on the interim regulations is scheduled for February 10, 2025.
Ordinance No. 1013 – Park Impact Fees
- Mary Reidy (Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director) and Katrina Steinley (Senior Management Analyst) presented updates to park impact fees (PIF) as a one-time payment by new development for parks capital costs. Staff recommended a square-footage rate structure with a 25% reduction from the maximum allowable fee, exemption for adult family homes, and application to additions/remodels that add finished square footage.
- Council discussed the impact of the square-footage methodology on additions/remodels and on encouraging larger family units. Councilmember Annette Ademasu expressed concern about fees on minor remodels; City Attorney Margaret King clarified that the fee applies only if the addition moves the property into a higher square-footage bracket and that case-by-case adjustments are possible.
- Amendment: Councilmember Keith Scully moved to adopt Alternative 2a (a more granular rate structure with a lower bracket for units under 500 sq ft and brackets up to 1,500–2,400 sq ft) to better support construction of two- and three-bedroom units over studios. Councilmember Eben Pobee seconded. The amendment passed 7-0.
- Main Motion: Councilmember Scully moved to adopt Ordinance 1013 as amended, setting new park impact fees effective July 1, 2025, including the square-footage rate structure, 25% reduction from maximum allowable, and adult family home exemption. The motion passed 7-0.
Executive Session
- At 7:59 p.m., the council recessed into a 20-minute executive session under RCW 42.30.110(1)(b) to consider the selection of a site for acquisition by lease or purchase. No action was taken following the session, which ended at 8:16 p.m.
Key Outcomes
- Unanimous adoption of Ordinance 1031 (interim tree protections) and Ordinance 1013 (park impact fees with Alternative 2a rate structure).
- Public hearing on Ordinance 1031 set for February 10, 2025.
- Park impact fees become effective July 1, 2025; adult family homes are exempt.
- Consent calendar approved, including $10,316,642.93 in expenses and payroll.
- Next regular council meeting scheduled for February 3, 2025.
Meeting Transcript
Good evening. I'd like to call to order the Shoreline City Council regular meeting for Monday, January 27th, 2025. Will you please join me in the flag salute? And to the Republic for which it stands one nation under the Liberty Justice. Thank you. Will the clerk please conduct call the roll? Mayor Roberts. Here. Deputy Mayor Mark. Present. Councilmember Ramsdale. Present. Councilmember Scali. Present via Zoom. Councilmember Adamassier. Present. Councilmember Povey. Here. Councilmember Robertson. Here thank you. On behalf of the city the Shoreline City Council, I'm proc have made a couple there's a couple of proclamations for today. First, today, January 27th, marks the day that Soviet forces liberated the victims of Auschwitz Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration and exterminment camp. And is observed as N International Holocaust Remembrance Day to honor the stories of survivors and reaffirm the principles of the United Nations Deck United Declaration of Human Rights, which emphasize the equal worth and dignity of all individuals and the need to stand united against discrimination. And also on behalf of the Shoreline City Council, I'd like to proclaim uh the 2025 Lunar New Year as the year of the snake in the city of Shoreline, and to encourage all residents to join in celebrating this auspicious occasion, emphasizing the values of renewal and fortune, the year of the snake and the year of the snake inspires. The next item is approval of tonight's agenda. If there are no objections or comments, the object the agenda is adopted by unanimous consent. Next on the agenda is the report of the city manager, Mr. Ellington. Good evening, Mayor and Council. The 2026 FIFA World Cup is coming to Seattle. We are partnering with the Shoreline Chamber of Commerce to host an informational meeting with the Seattle World Cup local organizing committee. This event is open, is free, and open to anyone who lives, work, or own property or a business in North King County or South Snohomish County interested in participating in community and or business preparation for the World Cup. The meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 4th from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Scottish Wright Masonic Center, which is located in Shoreline. Space is limited, so if you want to participate, you need to register soon. And you can register at ShorelineChamber.org. We are in the process of creating the Parks Facilities ADA transition plan to make our parks easier to use for people with disabilities. We will look for things that make it hard for people to access Shorelines Park Parks and suggest ways to fix them. We want to hear ideas from community members on important topics like what makes it hard to move around and use shoreline parks and what changes would help fix these barriers. To write the plan, we need the community's help. We have launched an online open house and survey to learn about people's experiences. They can visit engage.shorelinewa.gov forward slash ADA plan to share their feedback by February by Friday, February 28th. And finally, I have just a couple of public reminders to share. The Parks Recreation and Cultural Services Tree Board next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 27th. The next city council meeting will be Monday, February 3rd. And the planning commission will meet Thursday, February 6th. And for more information about these upcoming meetings, please visit Shoreline WA.gov forward slash calendar. And that concludes the city manager's report. Thank you. Are there any council reports this evening?
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