LYNNWOOD—During Monday’s Lynnwood City Council Business Meeting on January 27, Mayor Christine Frizzell, in addressing the allegations that Council Vice President Josh Binda may not be a Lynnwood resident, stated that she confirmed via voter registration that Joshua Binda is a resident within the city of Lynnwood. However, a review of the state voter registration files shows Council Vice President Josh Binda registration as “inactive” as of January 28, 2025, because the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office cannot verify his address.
The mayor did not provide council members, the public, nor the Lynnwood Times any evidence supporting her claim.
The City later clarified with the Lynnwood Times that the mayor’s intent of her comments at Monday night’s meeting simply referred to confirming that the address Vice President Binda provided the mayor matched the address Snohomish County Elections has on file—a Lynnwood address which the Binda’s voter registration status is still inactive (meaning unverified) as of today—and that this was “not the end of the conversation.”
“We want to resolve these complicated issues, but they are not always as straightforward as we all want them to be,” said City of Lynnwood spokesman.
Councilman Binda shared that he is seeking a Protection Order against the publisher of the Lynnwood Times, Mario Lotmore, for allegedly investigating him.
“I am doing this because I don’t want any public servant or community member to be treated the way I have been treated at the hand of this dangerous and gross misinformation as well as fake journalism,” said Binda.
Councilman Patrick Decker shared with Binda the requirements to establish residency and the eligibility requirements to hold elective office, RCW 35A.12.030.
Summary of Council Votes:
Brian Pouch was unanimously confirmed to the Tourism Advisory Committee
Council unanimously approved the 2025 Finance Committee Meeting Calendar
Council unanimously approved the 2025 Mid-Biennial Budget Review Calendar
Council approved the Ordinance for the STEP Housing Code Amendment with a 5-1 vote, Council member Patrick Decker dissented.
What this means to you: The City of Lynnwood may not adopt, impose, or enforce requirements on an affordable housing development that are different than the requirements imposed on housing developments generally. RCW 36.130.020.
In 2021, the State of Washington Legislature adopted House Bill 1220, an Act relating to supporting emergency shelters and housing through local planning and development regulations.
Lynnwood must adopt the STEP Housing requirements into the LMC at the time of the Comprehensive Plan’s adoption to comply with state housing requirements. This action is required by Department of Commerce for the 2024 Comprehensive Plan to comply with the Growth Management Act. The STEP Housing code amendment is also required for the Comprehensive Plan to be certified by the Puget Sound Regional Council.
Council approved the Ordinance adopting Lynnwood’s 2024 Comprehensive Plan called “Imagine Lynnwood” with a 5-1 vote, Council member Patrick Decker dissented.
What this means to you: The Comprehensive Plan is a document that guides City of Lynnwood Government decisions on land use, transportation, parks, housing, capital facilities and the natural environment—it is the housing and land use “bible” for city-managed jurisdiction.
According to the plan, Lynnwood must establish development and infrastructure for a projected population of 63,735 people by 2044, an increase of 25,167. The city’s housing unit goal for 2044 is 30,183 or an increase of 14,051.
Author: Mario Lotmore
