Public Meetings - Shoreline, Washington

The Shoreline City Council met on Monday, September 15, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at Shoreline City Hall. The meeting covered a proclamation for Latinx Heritage Month, reports from the city manager and council members, approval of a consent calendar, a subdivision action item, and a study item on updating the business license threshold. There was no public comment. Consent Calendar - Approved unanimously (7-0): - Minutes of the August 4, 2025 regular meeting. - First amendment to the interlocal agreement with King County District Court. - Contract with Brite Nites, Inc. for a winter light display in the Park at Town Center, not to exceed $234,048 for six months. Public Comments & Testimony - No members of the public signed up to speak or were present to provide testimony. Discussion Items - Preliminary Formal Unit Lot Subdivision No. PLN23-0107: Senior Planner Cate Lee presented a proposal to divide a 0.92-acre parcel at 808, 812, 820, and 826 N 145th Street into 23 unit lots. The site is zoned Neighborhood Business (NB) and had four detached single-family homes demolished in April 2025. The application was vested under 2023 code, which required a hearing examiner recommendation and council decision. No public comments were received during the process. The hearing examiner recommended approval subject to 17 conditions. The council discussed access (only vehicle entrance from Whitman Avenue), lot sizes, and density. Councilmember Keith Scully suggested future such decisions should rest with the hearing examiner to avoid council review. Councilmember Eben Pobee expressed concerns about livable space but ultimately supported the project. The project will create 19 additional housing units and require impact fees for transportation, fire, and parks. - Ordinance No. 1037 – Business License Threshold: Christy Hopkins and Johanna Miller presented the ordinance amending Shoreline Municipal Code Chapter 5.05. The Association of Washington Cities (AWC) increased the minimum threshold for requiring a business license from $2,000 to $4,000. The proposed ordinance adopts this new threshold effective January 1, 2026, with future adjustments based on CPI-U Western (capped at 5% per year, maximum 20% every four years). Revenue decrease is anticipated to be less than $10,000 annually. Councilmember Scully questioned whether a higher threshold (e.g., $50,000-$100,000) would reduce red tape; staff noted the value of tracking economic activity. Councilmember Betsy Robertson supported the data-gathering aspect. Mayor Roberts noted the $40 business license fee has not changed since 2009 and suggested a cost recovery review. Deputy Mayor Laura Mork supported updating fees with inflation. The ordinance is scheduled to return on the consent calendar. Key Outcomes - Unanimous approval (7-0) of Preliminary Formal Subdivision PLN23-0107, subject to 17 conditions in Attachment A. - Discussion concluded on Ordinance No. 1037; it will be brought back on the consent calendar at a future meeting. - Other: Councilmember Scully advocated for eliminating council review of hearing examiner decisions. Staff will evaluate increasing the $40 business license fee to recover costs. The meeting adjourned at 7:42 p.m.

The Shoreline City Council met on Monday, September 8, 2025 at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber. The meeting included two proclamations, approval of a consent calendar, action on federal legislative priorities, discussions on a tree fund ordinance and the Surface Water Master Plan, an executive session, and votes on settlement and litigation matters. Proclamations - Mayor Roberts proclaimed September 12–21, 2025 as Welcoming Week in Shoreline, encouraging community belonging. - Mayor Roberts proclaimed the month of September 2025 as Safe Shoreline and National Preparedness Month, urging residents to implement emergency preparedness. Consent Calendar - Approved by unanimous vote (7-0). Items included: - Approval of minutes from July 14 and July 28, 2025 meetings. - Approval of expenses and payroll as of August 29, 2025 totaling $12,830,691.19. - Authorization for contracts: BEA Environmental ($140,000 for pollution prevention inspections), ILA 2564-64980 (Respite in Community Settings), ILA 2564-64981 (Recreational Opportunities), Osborn Consulting (up to $301,392 for Boeing Creek Basin Retrofit Study), Herrera, Inc. (up to $474,798 for Citywide Stream Characterization and Habitat Study), and Center for Human Services ($130,000 for mental health therapist services). Public Comments & Testimony - Kathleen Russell, representing Save Shoreline Trees, expressed strong support for Ordinance No. 1039, calling it "terrific news for Shoreline's tree canopy." She noted the ordinance allows the city to initiate agreements with non-city entities (e.g., school district, Seattle City Light) to plant trees on their property and urged council to support it. No other public comments were made. Discussion Items 2025-2026 Federal Legislative Priorities - Presenters: Jim Hammond (Intergovernmental/CMO Program Manager) and Jake Johnston (Federal Consultant) presented the proposed priorities focused on capital projects: Trail Along the Rail, Ballinger Creek, 175th Corridor, and RAISE grant funding. - Discussion: Councilmember Scully expressed concern about the 175th Street project due to its high cost and lengthy funding process; Hammond noted the project is fully funded if the federal grant is retained. Councilmember Pobee suggested adding a policy to protect already-allocated federal funding; Johnston noted ongoing efforts in Congress to extend funding obligations in case of federal delays, and that some issues are addressed through the judicial process. Councilmember Scully asked about bipartisan support for a medium-sized city set-aside; Johnston replied that support exists for growing cities like Shoreline but highlighted challenges in broader political alignment, emphasizing the initiative is not partisan. - Vote: Motion to approve the 2025-2026 Federal Legislative Priorities passed unanimously (7-0). Ordinance No. 1039 – Tree Fund Amendments - Presenters: Katrina Steinley (Senior Management Analyst) and Kevin Hickenbottom (Urban Forestry Supervisor) proposed three changes: (1) allow Tree Fund to plant trees on public property managed by the city but not city-owned; (2) allow use of eligible fund sources (excluding state-restricted fees) to support the urban forestry program broadly; (3) clarify language on permissible fund uses. - Council comments: Councilmembers generally expressed support. Councilmember Robertson suggested exploring use of funds for environmental stewardship beyond tree planting; Hickenbottom said that would be possible as long as tree health is the goal. Councilmember Scully asked about funding for sidewalk improvements related to tree roots; Hickenbottom indicated it could be used to support tree health during such projects. Councilmember Ademasu noted the importance of planting in heat islands. A clarifying amendment recommended by staff (adding "mitigation fees" to the list of funding sources) received council consensus. - Next steps: Ordinance scheduled to return for potential action on September 22, 2025, and will likely be placed on the consent calendar. Resolution No. 549 – 2025-2030 Surface Water Master Plan - Presenter: John Featherstone (Surface Water and Wastewater Systems Manager) presented the final plan. Key elements: - Public engagement resulted in four guiding principles: protect streams, fight climate change, make Shoreline greener, restore waterways. - Council previously chose Service Level Option 4 (the highest practical level) based on community support and staff recommendation. - Rate increases approved: 12.5% for 2025, then 8.5% annually through 2030. The Equivalent Service Unit (ESU) billing model will be implemented in 2027. - Implementation has already begun: two studies (Boeing Creek Basin Retrofit and Stream Characterization) are underway; a new street sweeper is being procured; the Soak It Up program was expanded and has a waiting list; water quality monitoring expansion starts this fall. - Over 30 performance measures will be tracked, including stream health (benthic macroinvertebrate index), greenification, permit compliance, street sweeping effectiveness, flood reduction, and hard surface runoff management. - Council comments: Councilmembers expressed strong support. Councilmember Scully encouraged using local businesses (e.g., Go Natives Nursery) for native plant procurement. Deputy Mayor Mork requested annual reporting of performance metrics. Councilmember Ademasu praised the plan's focus on infiltration and suggested more community education on aquifer-stream connections. Mayor Roberts noted no objections to placing the resolution on consent for adoption on October 13, 2025. - Note: Mr. Featherstone announced this was his last presentation as a city staffer; his last day is September 15, 2025. Key Outcomes - Consent Calendar – Approved unanimously (7-0). - 2025-2026 Federal Legislative Priorities – Approved unanimously (7-0). - Executive Session: Council recessed for 15 minutes at 8:16 PM under RCW 42.30.110(1)(i) to discuss litigation. Staff attendees included City Manager Bristol Ellington, Assistant City Manager John Norris, and City Attorney Margaret King. - Post-Executive Session Actions (both approved 7-0): - Motion by Councilmember Betsy Robertson: Approved the CR2A Settlement Agreement, including payment of $760,000 to Philippi Presbyterian Church of Seattle for permanent and temporary easements necessary for the city's 148th Non-Motorized Bridge Project. Authorized the City Manager and City Attorney to execute documentation. - Motion by Councilmember Keith Scully: Authorized the City Attorney to file an appeal of McCormick, et al. v. Paramount of Washington, LLC, et al. (Snohomish Superior Court Case No. 25-2-04362-31) and to pursue all administrative remedies related to the uses of the Alon property in Woodway and Snohomish County, including any necessary appeals. - Meeting adjourned at 8:33 PM.

The Shoreline Planning Commission met on Thursday, August 21, 2025, from 7:00 p.m. to 7:25 p.m. in the Council Chamber at Shoreline City Hall. Chair Leslie Brinson presided; Commissioners Bradley Cabe, Colt Fry, Lauren Hadley, Mei-shiou Lin (online), and Julie Povick were present, and Vice Chair Christopher Mosier was excused. Staff present included Andrew Bauer, Steve Szafran, Sierra Carson, and Carla Hoekzema. The Commission accepted the agenda and the August 7, 2025 minutes, received no public comment, and studied two Comprehensive Plan docket amendments. Consent Calendar - Agenda accepted as presented. - Regular meeting minutes of August 7, 2025 accepted as presented. Public Comments & Testimony - None. Discussion Items Comprehensive Plan Docket – Amendment 1 (Remove Bike LTS Table) and Amendment 2 (Revise Countywide Centers Boundary) Senior Planner Steve Szafran presented the 2025 Comprehensive Plan docket. The original docket had one amendment, and Council added four more, making five total. Staff addressed two amendments this year and recommended carrying the remaining three—Town Center Plan update, 145th Street Station Subarea Plan update, and 185th Street Station Subarea Plan update—to 2026 because they need more work. Amendment 1: Remove Bike Level of Traffic Stress (LTS) Table - Staff recommended removing the Bike LTS table and corresponding language from the Transportation Element. Staff explained that the detailed table is not appropriate for the Transportation Element and already exists in the city’s Engineering Development Manual, allowing faster administrative updates without a comp plan docket process. Amendment 2: Revise Countywide Centers Boundary - Senior Planner Sierra Carson reviewed proposed boundary revisions to the Countywide Centers, based on King County’s 2021 candidate designation and feedback to make boundaries more compact, walkable, and generally round or square. - New formal boundaries are proposed for the 185th Street Station Countywide Center and the 148th Street Station Countywide Center. - The 148th boundary changes are minor: squaring off the boundary along 155th and aligning the boundary with parcel changes on the Fircrest campus. - The 185th boundary was reduced from about 430 acres to focus on areas zoned MUR70 near the light rail station and the North City activity center, while also connecting the Shoreline Place recreational campus. Staff acknowledged the resulting shape is irregular but justified it by local geography and previous subarea planning. - For Town Center and Shoreline Place, staff proposed placeholder study areas instead of formal boundaries, citing long, linear corridors inconsistent with county criteria and future work related to HP 1491, known as the TOD bill, with required compliance by 2029 and a minimum average density within roughly one-quarter mile of BRT along Aurora. - Staff stated King County does not have an artificial limit on the number of Countywide Growth Centers; designation helps the city compete for grants and transportation funding. Commission Discussion - Commissioners asked clarifying questions about the impact of boundary changes. Staff responded that the changes are for county grant-competitiveness purposes only and do not alter existing station-area boundaries, zoning, land use, or subarea planning. - Staff explained that grant funding could support projects on the city’s Capital Improvement Program list, including sidewalk, trail, bicycle, and multimodal improvements within or connecting to the growth centers. - Asked about community input, staff stated no separate engagement was conducted because the amendment only refines boundaries already in the adopted comp plan and does not change land use or zoning; the public hearing would provide an opportunity to comment. - The Planning Commission was supportive of the proposed amendments. Reports and Announcements / Next Meetings - The next meeting is the annual Planning Commission retreat on September 4, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. in Conference Room 303, with dinner available; staff estimated it would last under two hours. - The September 18, 2025 meeting is expected to include a draft Critical Areas Code, or at least a portion, and the 2025 Development Code amendments. Key Outcomes - Agenda and August 7, 2025 minutes approved as presented. - No public comment was received. - The Commission expressed support for the proposed docket amendments. - Staff will return for a public hearing on October 2, 2025, to make a recommendation to Council. - Staff will submit Countywide Growth Center applications for the 148th and 185th station centers by the October 1, 2025 deadline. - Three remaining docket amendments were recommended to be carried over to 2026. - The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 p.m.

The Shoreline City Council met on Monday, August 11, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at City Hall. The meeting was called to order by Mayor Chris Roberts, and all councilmembers were present except Councilmember John Ramsdell, who was excused. The agenda included a proclamation, consent calendar, two action items (a park property purchase and elimination of parking minimums), and a study item on the draft Park Facilities ADA Transition Plan. The meeting adjourned at 8:30 p.m. Proclamation - Mayor Roberts proclaimed August 11–18, 2025, as Celebrate Shoreline, noting the 30th anniversary of the City of Shoreline's incorporation in 1995. Consent Calendar - Approval of Workshop Dinner Meeting Minutes of July 14, 2025. - Approval of Expenses and Payroll as of August 1, 2025, in the amount of $3,534,969.48. - Authorization for the City Manager to execute the Eighth Amendment to the Expedited Permitting, Reimbursement, and Construction Services Agreement with Sound Transit for the Lynnwood Link Extension Light Rail Project. - Authorization for the City Manager to execute the Participation Forms and Allocation Agreement IV for the Washington State Attorney General’s Settlement for the Purdue Pharma/Sackler Family and Generic Opioid Manufacturers. - Motion to approve the Consent Calendar carried 6-0. Public Comments & Testimony Eight members of the public provided comments, primarily on Ordinance No. 1043 (elimination of parking minimums): - David Guilland, Shoreline resident, expressed support for eliminating parking minimums and the new bike rack requirements, citing safer bike parking. - Matthew DeAngelis, Meridian Park resident, expressed support, addressing concerns about overflow parking, enforcement, and the claim that everyone drives in Shoreline. - Jack Malek, Shoreline resident, expressed support but disagreed with zero parking for ADUs, suggesting funding for Amazon lockers and delivery vehicle spaces. - Ann Jackson, Firlands Way resident, expressed concerns that eliminating parking minimums would lower the standard of living, citing full park-and-rides and increased crime. - Katie Lorah, Ridgecrest resident, expressed support for eliminating mandates to increase affordability, walkability, climate friendliness, connectivity, green space, and equity. - Laethan Wene, Shoreline resident, expressed appreciation for council participation in community events. - Sahar Amini, Advocacy and Policy Manager at Habitat for Humanity, commented that Ordinance 1043 is a focused approach to promote increased housing and development opportunities. - Gabriel Sneed, Meridian Park resident, advocated for removing parking minimums to encourage housing development and green space. Discussion Items Action Item 8A – Purchase of Real Property at 19004 Firlands Way N - Nathan Daum, Economic Development Manager, and Mary Reidy, Parks, Recreation and Community Services Director, presented the staff report. The parcel is 0.24 acres, adjacent to an existing park in an underserved area along the Aurora Corridor, with opportunities for urban forest canopy retention. The proposed acquisition cost is $830,000, with total costs including demolition and site stabilization estimated at $853,000, fully funded by the King County Conservation Futures Tax (CFT) Grant. - Council discussion: Councilmembers expressed support for the purchase, citing it as fully funded, increasing urban forest cover, providing green space and a cooling center, and promoting biodiversity through contiguous greenspace. - Motion to approve the purchase and authorize the City Manager to complete the transaction carried 6-0. Action Item 8B – Ordinance No. 1043: Eliminate Parking Minimums Citywide and Revise Bicycle Parking Requirements - Steve Szafran, Senior Planner, and Elise Keim, Planning Manager, presented. The ordinance implements Comprehensive Plan Policy LU 3.2 to eliminate minimum parking ratios and encourage flexible parking configurations. Council had no changes from its August 4 discussion. - Council discussion: Deputy Mayor Laura Mork noted the onus shifts to developers; Councilmember Annette Ademasu highlighted benefits for ADU construction, helping seniors on fixed incomes; Mayor Roberts stressed the city's ongoing responsibility for parking management and the need for a future citywide parking management plan. - Motion to approve Ordinance No. 1043 carried 6-0. Study Item 9A – Discussion of Draft Park Facilities ADA Transition Plan - Randy Witt, Interim Engineer/Project Manager, and Lauri Strauss, Design2Last Inc., presented. The draft plan is an extensive document (over 5,000 pages) evaluating 21 of 41 parks; the remaining parks were not evaluated because they are undeveloped, part of Park Bond Projects, or already ADA compliant. The estimated implementation cost is nearly $11 million, excluding design and other construction expenses. - Community engagement tools included online open houses, surveys, interviews, and focus groups. Feedback identified barriers and guided a Park Prioritization Matrix considering disability density, social inequity, visitation, and public input. The matrix was used to recommend initial projects for the 2025-2026 biennium: Richmond Beach Saltwater Park and Twin Ponds Park. - Staff estimated that completing all projects in 20 years would require approximately $550,000 per year. Council discussed flexible funding, potential use of General Capital Annual Contributions, and the importance of incorporating validated grievances into prioritization. - Council discussion: Councilmember Betsy Robertson supported the plan and asked about adoption before funding; Councilmember Ademasu urged flexible funding due to competing priorities; Councilmember Eben Pobee suggested a 5-year timeline and prioritizing heavily used parks; Councilmember Keith Scully asked about severity of deficiencies; Mayor Roberts noted typical implementation timelines of 20–50 years. Staff confirmed that all Park Bond Projects are ADA compliant. The plan will return for adoption in September. Key Outcomes - Consent Calendar approved 6-0. - Purchase of 19004 Firlands Way N property approved 6-0. - Ordinance No. 1043 (elimination of parking minimums) approved 6-0. - Discussion on Draft Park Facilities ADA Transition Plan received; staff will incorporate council feedback and return with a final plan for adoption on September 22, 2025. - The next regular council meeting is scheduled for September 8, 2025.

The Shoreline Planning Commission held a regular meeting on August 7, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber. The primary agenda item was a study session on proposed code amendments to allow co-living housing, as required by Washington State House Bill 1998, which mandates fully planning cities like Shoreline to adopt regulations by December 31, 2025, or face state preemption. The commission also approved the consent calendar and received updates on upcoming council actions and community advisory committees. Consent Calendar - Approval of Agenda: The agenda was accepted as presented. - Approval of Meeting Minutes: The draft minutes of the July 17, 2025, regular meeting were accepted as presented. Public Comments & Testimony - No public comments were made. Discussion Items - Co-Living Housing Development Code Amendments: Associate Planner Kevin Bagwell presented an overview of co-living housing, defined as a residential development with independently rented sleeping units (70 sq. ft. minimum) that share kitchen facilities. The state requires co-living to be allowed wherever multifamily housing (6+ units) is permitted, except in the NR3 zone. Key discussion points included: - Ground Floor Commercial Requirements: The commission debated whether to require ground floor commercial for conversions of existing commercial buildings to co-living, similar to requirements for multifamily developments in commercial zones (e.g., neighborhood business, town center). Chair Brinson, Commissioner Fry, and Vice Chair Mosier supported requiring ground floor commercial, with administrative departures possible. Commissioner Povick raised the issue of building size and infrastructure needs. Staff noted that the city already has departure authority. - Exemptions from Adaptive Reuse Requirements: Staff proposed exempting co-living conversions from the 50% site improvement threshold, which currently applies to residential conversions but not to commercial uses (e.g., restaurants). Chair Brinson and Commissioner Fry supported the exemption as a way to activate underused spaces. Vice Chair Mosier initially expressed concern about conflicting with commercial space goals but later supported a narrow exemption. The commission agreed to explore a targeted exemption, particularly for hotels and motels. - Unit Minimums and Maximums: Commissioners questioned the density calculation (4 sleeping units = 1 dwelling unit) and potential impacts on unit caps. Staff will follow up on how minimum unit requirements in commercial zones interact with co-living. Vice Chair Mosier noted that co-living may conflict with council goals for three-bedroom units. - Open Space and Common Areas: Commissioners Cabe, Povick, and Hadley emphasized the need for adequate shared indoor and outdoor open space, especially for larger co-living buildings. Staff will investigate whether current multifamily open space requirements (800 sq. ft. or 50 sq. ft. per unit) can be applied consistently. - Other Considerations: The commission discussed the potential for co-living to serve intergenerational families and the importance of third places for residents. Questions were raised about how to regulate conversions of large single-family homes in residential zones versus commercial buildings. Key Outcomes - Direction to Staff: The commission directed staff to: - Proceed with requiring ground floor commercial for co-living conversions in appropriate zones, with administrative departure flexibility. - Develop a targeted exemption from adaptive reuse site improvement requirements for co-living conversions, especially for hotel/motel buildings. - Analyze the number of properties with conversion potential and provide more data on unit minimums/maximums and open space options. - Ensure consistency with existing definitions (e.g., "major pedestrian corridor") and coordinate with building code officials on fire sprinkler and other safety triggers. - Next Steps: The proposed schedule includes further discussion of development code amendments on September 18, 2025, a public hearing on October 16, 2025, and council action in November–December 2025. Reports & Announcements - Planning Director Andrew Bauer reported that the City Council is expected to take action on the commission's recommendations regarding bike parking code amendments and elimination of parking minimums at the next council meeting (August 11, 2025). - The city is seeking applicants for the Tree Code Update Advisory Committee, which will form a recommendation before the commission's deliberation. Commissioners were encouraged to share the application link. - The next regular meeting is scheduled for August 21, 2025, at 7:00 p.m., with discussion of the 2025 comprehensive plan amendment docket (two items: countywide center boundaries and level of traffic stress table cleanup). The meeting was adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

The Shoreline City Council met on Monday, August 4, 2025, at 7:00 PM in the Council Chamber. Mayor Chris Roberts was excused; Deputy Mayor Laura Mork presided. All other councilmembers were present. The meeting included a proclamation, city manager and council reports, public comment, and discussions on the King County Solid Waste Division's 2026 rates and Ordinance No. 1043 to eliminate parking minimums citywide. The meeting adjourned at 8:14 PM. Proclamation - Deputy Mayor Mork proclaimed August 5, 2025 as "National Night Out for Community" in Shoreline. Kate Ledbetter of the Parkwood Neighborhood Association accepted the proclamation. Consent Calendar - Approved unanimously (6-0): Approval of June 23, 2025 meeting minutes; authorization of a construction contract with Interwest Construction, Inc. for $1,871,995 for the 8th Avenue NW Sidewalk Project; authorization of professional services agreements with Atwell, LLC, David Evans and Associates, Inc., and KBA, Inc. for a combined total not to exceed $3,625,000 for construction management on-call services. Public Comments & Testimony - Matthew DeAngelis (Meridian Park resident) urged removal of parking minimums, stating that removing mandates does not eliminate parking but allows property owners to decide. He argued that change will be slow due to permitting and construction timelines. - Tom Lang (Parkwood resident) strongly supported eliminating parking minimums, calling them a relic of a bygone era. He urged the council to stay the course. - Gabriel Sneed (Meridian Park resident) advocated for immediate removal of all parking minimums, emphasizing that it encourages housing development and reduces car-dedicated space. Discussion Items A. King County Solid Waste Division 2026 Rates (20 minutes) - Paige Scheid (Environmental Services Program Manager), Sarah Bruemmer (Environmental Sustainability Coordinator), and representatives from King County's Solid Waste Division (Rebecca Singer, Director; Dave Pierce, Enterprise Services Section Manager) presented the 2026 rate proposal. - Total system-wide estimated bill increase: 71 cents/month; Shoreline-specific increase: 79 cents/month for a 32-gallon can. - Yard waste and self-haul rates will rise 12.5% to align revenue with costs (yard waste collection costs 2% of revenue but brings in only 1%). - Commercial tipping fees will increase 8% in 2026; fixed annual charge for commercial customers held steady until 2030. - Capital expenditures projected to rise from $34 million to $99 million by 2031, driven by development of Area 9 at Cedar Hills landfill and other projects. - Landfill reserve fund target: $350 million for closure and post-closure maintenance of Cedar Hills (estimated closure 2040, but may shift due to disaster planning). - Councilmembers expressed: support for education and enforcement to increase recycling, concern about the yard waste increase, and interest in mandating multifamily organics and rewarding waste sorting. B. Ordinance No. 1043 - Development Code Amendments to Eliminate Parking Minimums Citywide and Revise Bicycle Parking Requirements (40 minutes) - Steve Szafran (Senior Planner) and Elise Keim (Planning Manager) presented. The amendments: eliminate minimum parking ratios for all uses; retain design standards for parking; increase bicycle parking requirements; and add design standards for bicycle parking. - The Planning Commission recommended approval. - Councilmember John Ramsdell supported eliminating minimums, asked about bike requirements for older buildings (staff confirmed triggered by new development or major improvements). - Councilmember Keith Scully supported but wanted to retain ability to regulate excessive vehicles on a lot (staff confirmed levers remain). - Councilmember Annette Ademasu supported, noting benefits for ADUs. She asked about ADA requirements (staff clarified ADA applies only if parking is provided) and loading zone thresholds (staff explained 60 dwelling units selected for consistency with SEPA). - Councilmember Betsy Robertson supported, hoping it allows tree preservation. - Deputy Mayor Mork noted the city's parking enforcement program; City Manager Bristol Ellington said businesses needing parking will provide it, and the city will address illegal parking. - Council consensus: strong support; next step is a final vote at a future meeting with a short staff report and public comment opportunity. Key Outcomes - No formal votes were taken on the study items. - The King County Solid Waste 2026 rate proposal was discussed; no council action required at this time. - Council directed staff to bring Ordinance No. 1043 back for a final vote after providing a brief staff report and allowing public comment. All councilmembers expressed support for eliminating parking minimums. - The scheduled executive session was postponed and will be rescheduled.

The Shoreline City Council held a special meeting on Monday, July 28, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. The meeting lasted approximately 26 minutes, adjourning at 7:56 p.m. All seven council members were present. The council approved the consent calendar, adopted the 2025-2029 Economic Development Strategy, and adopted Ordinance No. 1038 regulating commercial and construction truck use of city streets. Two members of the public provided comments. Consent Calendar - Approved unanimously (7-0) the following items: - Approval of Workshop Dinner Meeting Minutes of June 9, 2025 - Approval of Workshop Dinner Meeting Minutes of June 23, 2025 - Approval of Expenses and Payroll as of July 18, 2025 in the amount of $6,813,755.40 - Authorization for the City Manager to execute a construction contract with Harkness Construction, LLC in the amount of $952,491 for the 2025 Stormwater Pipe Repair and Small Drainage Projects - Authorization for the City Manager to execute Interagency Agreement No. C2500187 with the Washington State Department of Ecology for participation in the 2025-2027 Pollution Prevention Assistance Partnership Public Comments & Testimony - Kris Espinoza, Shoreline resident, president of the Youth Soccer Association and vice president of the ShoreLake Soccer Club, thanked the City for supporting the 5x5 World Cup event, which hosted approximately 165 kids across six brackets. He requested improvements to Shoreview Park to add a turf field for soccer or multi-sports. - Laethan Wene, Shoreline resident, urged council members to attend community events such as "Swinging Summer Eve" and mingle with residents. Discussion Items - 2025-2029 Economic Development Strategy: Nathan Daum, Economic Development Manager, presented the revised draft. Key changes included de-emphasizing large-employer recruitment and deleting "AI" and "Clean Energy" from identified growth industries. The strategy now focuses on small business support. Council members commended Mr. Daum's work. Councilmember Robertson inquired about Placer.ai data availability; Mr. Daum confirmed data is accessible back to 2017. Councilmember Ademasu appreciated inclusion of zero waste jobs conversations. Mayor Roberts noted that park usage data from Placer.ai showed approximately 1.4 million annual park visitors, far exceeding prior estimates of 200,000–300,000, highlighting parks as an economic driver. - Ordinance No. 1038 - Truck Regulations: Kendra Dedinsky, City Traffic Engineer, presented the ordinance. It prohibits heavy trucks (over 20,000 GVWR) from using non-designated streets unless making local deliveries or holding a permit. Enforcement will be by police (after signs are installed) and code enforcement. Signs are installed as needed at minimal cost. Councilmember Scully moved to adopt. Discussion clarified that Amazon delivery vans are not subject to the ordinance. Deputy Mayor Mork asked about enforcement for repeated violations; City Attorney Margaret King noted permits are tied to construction permits, providing additional enforcement leverage. Councilmember Robertson requested periodic reporting on violations and enforcement actions; staff agreed to work with Police and King County Courts to compile data. Key Outcomes - Adopted 2025-2029 Economic Development Strategy: Motion by Councilmember Keith Scully, seconded by Councilmember John Ramsdell. Passed 7-0. - Adopted Ordinance No. 1038: Motion by Councilmember Keith Scully, seconded by Councilmember Betsy Robertson. The ordinance establishes SMC Chapter 10.12 (Truck Regulations) and amends SMC Chapter 12.15 (Use of Right of Way). Passed 7-0. - The consent calendar was approved unanimously (7-0) on a motion by Deputy Mayor Laura Mork, seconded by Councilmember Eben Pobee.

The Shoreline Planning Commission met on Thursday, July 17, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber at Shoreline City Hall. The meeting included a public hearing on development code amendments to eliminate citywide parking minimums and revise bicycle parking requirements, followed by a study item discussion on updates to the Environmentally Critical Areas Code. The commission voted 4-0 to recommend approval of the parking amendments to the City Council and provided guidance on the critical areas code update. Consent Calendar - Approved the agenda as presented. - Approved the draft minutes of July 3, 2025, as presented. Public Comments & Testimony - Janet Way (Shoreline, Shoreline Preservation Society) expressed concern about the Critical Areas Map, noting that many creeks shown as unimportant may still have salmonids or habitat potential. She urged maximum protection for critical areas, including steep slopes and wetlands, and asked that even piped creeks be given importance. - Gabriel Sneed (Shoreline, Meridian Park) spoke in support of eliminating parking minimums, stating it would allow more development, increase housing, improve livability, and reduce carbon footprint. She noted the policy aligns with the city’s Comprehensive Plan, Climate Action Plan, and Economic Development Plan. - Katie Loraj (Ridgecrest) also supported eliminating parking minimums, citing benefits for connectivity, affordability, walkability, and equity. She emphasized decoupling bike parking requirements from vehicle parking requirements as appropriate for urban infill and middle housing projects. - Written testimonies (six or seven) were received, all expressing support for the parking amendments, with one expressing concern about the transition period. Public Hearing: Development Code Amendments to Eliminate Parking Minimums and Revise Bicycle Parking Requirements - Senior Planner Steve Szafran presented the proposed amendments, which eliminate vehicle parking minimums for all uses citywide, keep design requirements for parking (location, screening, landscaping), maintain drive aisle and stall dimensions, increase bicycle parking requirements for new development, add new bike parking design requirements, allow administrative departures, and clean up code citations. The amendments aim to right-size parking, reduce hardscape, and encourage alternative transportation. - Commissioners expressed support: Vice Chair Mosier noted the amendments remove arbitrary standards and reallocate land to desired uses (trees, housing, sidewalks). Commissioner Lin added that removing parking minimums could allow more units to support critical area buffers. Chair Brinson commended the flexibility in bicycle parking, including allowing parking within units. - Motion: To recommend approval of the vehicle and bicycle parking development code amendments (Attachment A) to the City Council. The motion passed unanimously (4-0). The public hearing closed at 7:13 p.m. Study Item: Discussion of Environmentally Critical Areas Code - Planning Manager Elise Keim presented background on the critical areas code update, focusing on riparian ecosystems. She discussed two alternatives: - Alternative 1 (WDFW Recommendation): Use the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife’s site potential tree height (SPTH) estimate of 202 feet for riparian ecosystems. This would impact approximately 456 new parcels (later refined to 450 after accounting for other critical areas) and is consistent with best available science. - Alternative 2 (City-Funded Alternative): Develop a city-specific best available science analysis to determine riparian ecosystem width, potentially with greater accuracy but costing time and money. - Commissioners discussed the trade-offs: - Vice Chair Mosier supported the WDFW data, noting it aligns with city goals to increase tree canopy and that the 456 parcels are a small number relative to the 4,300 already encumbered by critical areas. He emphasized the city’s ability to rezone nearby properties to mitigate development impacts. - Commissioner Povick preferred more data, stating that if the city is going to impact property owners, it should have accurate, site-specific data rather than a vague estimate. She raised concerns about homeowners being told “we don’t really know why.” - Chair Brinson initially expressed concern about impacts and accuracy but later summarized that she was okay with WDFW data as the best available science, provided the code is rational and clear for property owners, and that property owners are not forced to pay extreme costs for exemptions to maintain the current state. - Commissioner Lin supported the WDFW recommendation, noting that homeowners can still choose to do their own site-specific study if they want a deviation, and that allowed activities (e.g., remodeling within existing footprint) are already permitted. - Staff clarified that site-specific determinations are available for property owners under both alternatives, and that allowed uses include maintenance, repair, and modification of existing improvements. The city will also clarify allowed uses for private utility work and public utility work. - The commission did not take a formal vote but provided guidance: a majority (three commissioners) leaned toward using the WDFW recommendation, with one commissioner preferring more data. All agreed that the code should be clear, accessible, and not impose excessive costs on homeowners. Key Outcomes - The commission voted unanimously (4-0) to recommend approval of the vehicle and bicycle parking development code amendments to the City Council. - On the critical areas code update, the commission provided informal guidance favoring the WDFW 202-foot riparian ecosystem recommendation, with the understanding that the city will ensure the code is clear, allows site-specific determinations, and does not place undue burden on property owners. Staff will continue refining the code based on this guidance. - The next meeting is scheduled for August 7, 2025, and will include a discussion on co-living housing (podments/micro units). - The meeting adjourned at 8:04 p.m.

The Shoreline City Council met on Monday, July 14, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber. The meeting included approval of a consent calendar, two action items (youth board appointments and extension of interim tree regulations), and a study item on proposed truck regulations. All votes were unanimous (7-0) where taken. Consent Calendar - Approved the regular meeting minutes of June 2 and June 9, 2025. - Approved expenses and payroll as of July 3, 2025, in the amount of $6,650,116.42. - Authorized the City Manager to execute an amendment with BERK for $165,860 for planning and environmental review services for the Light Rail Stations Planned Action Areas Update. - Authorized an amendment with Lumifi Fiber (formerly Critical Insight) for $14,085 (total contract $184,698.63). - Authorized a Memorandum of Agreement with Seattle Public Utilities for the 8th Avenue NW Project. - Authorized an amendment with Facet for $287,408 for critical area services for the Parks Bond Project. - Authorized an 18-month contract with Sound Generations for $145,000 to provide mental health services at the Shoreline-Lake Forest Park Senior Center. The consent calendar was approved 7-0. Public Comments & Testimony - David Guilland, Shoreline resident, expressed opposition to the interim tree regulations (Ordinance 1036), arguing that more housing units should be built and the ordinance interferes with that goal. - Kathleen Russell, on behalf of Safe Shoreline Trees, discussed recent and planned tree removal at the Fircrest property. She noted that the Hearing Examiner required 80% of trees to be saved/retained on campus and an annual tree inventory be provided to the city, calling this an example of what is possible. - Matthew DeAngelis, Meridian Park neighborhood, urged Council to refer to the Climate Action Plan (which reports 44% of emissions from transportation and 23% from residential heating) and the Economic Development Strategy, rather than enacting blanket bans on tree removal. He emphasized the need for walkable neighborhoods, reduced car dependency, and denser housing. Action Items 8A – Youth Board Appointments - The Council waived Council Rule 2.4, A through E, and reappointed Nainoa Witwer and appointed Angelina Vaughn as youth members to the Shoreline Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Services/Tree Board for the term July 15, 2025, through June 30, 2026. The motion carried 7-0. 8B – Ordinance No. 1036 – Extension of Interim Tree Regulations - The Council adopted Ordinance No. 1036, extending for six months the interim regulations prohibiting removal of trees with a diameter at breast height of 60 inches or greater within the Town Center 3 and Town Center 4 zoning districts. The extension protects very large trees while the city updates its tree code. The motion carried 7-0. - Councilmember Ademasu spoke about historical tree loss in the Cascadia region. Councilmember Scully noted the need for balance between environmental goals and density, and expressed belief that the city will likely work toward permanent protection of very large trees. - Senior Planner Sierra Carson outlined the public outreach plan for the comprehensive tree code update, including formation of a 10-to-12-member advisory group with an online application opening later in summer 2025. Discussion Items 9A – Ordinance No. 1038 – Truck Regulations - Staff presented a proposed ordinance establishing designated truck routes for vehicles over 20,000 gross vehicle weight, prohibiting them from non-designated streets except for local deliveries or with a city permit. The ordinance aims to protect streets not built for heavy loads and ensure safety. - Council discussed enforcement mechanisms. Code enforcement would apply through the permitting process, but moving violations by police were not included. Councilmember Scully raised concerns about uneven enforcement and unfair penalization of businesses. Councilmembers asked about parking regulations, permit requirements, and exemptions for utility providers. - Staff indicated that signage would be installed at key entry points. No vote was taken; the item will return for action at a future meeting. Key Outcomes - Consent Calendar approved 7-0, including $6,650,116.42 in expenses/payroll and multiple contract amendments. - Youth board appointments approved 7-0. - Ordinance No. 1036 (tree protections) adopted 7-0 for a six-month extension. - Ordinance No. 1038 (truck regulations) discussed; will be brought back for action after further refinement. - Meeting adjourned at 7:52 p.m.