Council set May 6 to vote on STEP housing ordinance discuss design review, parking code updates

The Edmonds City Council is set to vote on a permanent STEP housing ordinance and discuss design review and residential parking code updates during its meeting on May 6. STEP housing, established by Washington's HB 1220, requires cities to adapt their codes to provide affordable housing options across all income levels, mandating such housing in residential and hotel zones. An interim STEP ordinance was previously passed to allow for public input while finalizing the details. The design review code is being updated to comply with HB 1293, addressing long-standing concerns over subjectivity and inefficiencies in the permitting process. The existing standards have been criticized for being scattered and outdated, leading to confusion for applicants.

Staff will also present changes to the residential parking code prompted by recent state legislation. In addition to these discussions, the council will issue a proclamation for National Police Week 2025 and hear a presentation from the Edmonds Food Bank. The meeting will be accessible via multiple streaming platforms, including Zoom.