LYNNWOOD—The council unanimously approved Alderwood Towne Center signage upgrades and amended its municipal code related to Undergrounding of Overhead Electric Wires at its Business Meeting at on Monday, March 25.
The City of Lynnwood contracts with Summit Strategies to provide federal lobbyist services. Summit Strategies Partner, Mark Dedrick, has been working with the City of Lynnwood for several years to provide advice, strategy, and advocacy guidance.
Over the years, Summit Strategies has help secure grants for Poplar Way Bridge, Scriber Creek Trail, and 44th Avenue Underpass. For 2024, the top priority goal is securing funding for Scriber Creek Trail Phase III.
Dedrick shared with the council that currently Republicans are expected take control of the Senate up to a two-seat majority or by winning the presidential election with a net gain of one seat—23 of the 34 seats up for re-election in the Senate or Democratic or Independent.
He predicts that Lynnwood’s federal delegation—Senator Maria Cantwell (D) and Representative Rick Larsen (D-WA02)—are expected to retain their seats for the 119th Congress. If the Democrats were to retake the House, Larsen, he said, would most likely become the Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee which would provide leverage on approving funds for Lynnwood infrastructure projects.
Ordinance: Alderwood Towne Center Master Signage Plan Development Agreement
The Lynnwood Council unanimously approved Mayor Christine to administer the provisions of the Alderwood Towne Center Master Signage Plan Development Agreement. The motion was make by Councilman Patrick Decker.
TW Alderwood LLC (“Owner”) owns the real property, which consists of approximately 7.39 acres, located in the City, at 3105 Alderwood Mall Blvd Ste 101 through 118, Lynnwood, WA 98036, proposes to replace existing signage to improve the marketability and exposure to customers.
The Applicant purchased the Alderwood Towne Center in June 2022 and has upgraded the property since acquisition, including repairs and upgrades to the parking lot, new paint, architectural enhancements, upgraded lighting in the common area, and landscaping improvements.
The Applicant wants to upgrade the center further by making changes to the existing signage, including changes to the pylon sign, new entry signage, and a monument sign at the southwest corner of the property, all consistent with other shopping centers in the area
The City Council held a duly advertised public hearing on March 11, 2024, at the Council business meeting to take and consider public comment on the Ordinance and the Development Agreement.
Ordinance: Undergrounding of Overhead Service Utilities
The motion make by Lynnwood Council Vice President Julieta Altamirano-Crosby to approve an ordinance authorizing Mayor Frizzell to administer the provisions of the Undergrounding Ordinance for the Regional Growth Center and City Center Subarea was unanimously approved by the council.
The code amendment to LMC 12.20 Undergrounding of Overhead Electric Wires will require development to underground overhead facilities including electrical and telecommunication within the Lynnwood Regional Growth Center (RGC) and City Center Subarea. The code amendments:
- All new service wires shall be placed underground. Planning Commission Meeting of March 25, 2023, Topic: Undergrounding Ordinance Code Amendment Staff Report
- Upon development or redevelopment of real property all overhead wires shall be relocated underground.
- In conjunction with a street-widening project that requires reinstallation of service wires, all existing overhead wires shall be relocated underground.
- Existing high-capacity transmission lines along I-5 and the Interurban Trail providing critical regional service are exempt from Chapter 12.20.
The code amendment will allow the exemption of undergrounding utilities for existing high-capacity transmission lines along I-5 and the Interurban Trail providing critical regional service.
Author: Mario Lotmore
