‘Another chance to get it right’: Edmonds council to address streateries fees again next week
Dec 30, 2021, 7:39 AM | Updated: 11:40 am
An Edmonds streatery. (MyNorthwest photo)
(MyNorthwest photo)
After weeks of drama and uncertainty over fees for Edmonds restaurant streateries, city councilmembers are set to discuss a path forward early next week.
Drama over Edmonds streateries continues after councilmember walks out of session
Earlier in December, Edmonds City Council extended the period that businesses can have streateries set up in public parking spaces to April 2022, but the move came with a caveat in the form of a hefty $4,000 fee. That was based on what councilmembers believed was the fair value for two parking spots over three months.
That was quickly met with outrage from many, including Edmonds Mayor Mike Nelson, who called the move a “shameful” burden on small businesses, noting that it would represent the “highest permit fee in the nation.”
The council called a special session days later to address the fee, where only four of seven councilmembers were in attendance. After hearing public testimony, councilmember Will Chen — who spearheaded efforts for the $4,000 fee — walked out, leaving them without a quorum. This prompted the remaining councilmembers to adjourn.
‘Streateries’ will live on in Edmonds, for a fee
Without further action, the fee will go into effect at the start of the new year. The hope from councilmembers is to take another shot at a fix as part a session scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 4, 2022.
Councilmember Laura Johnson took to Twitter on Wednesday, calling next week’s meeting “another chance for us to get it right.”
Another chance for us to get it right! Please send your comments regarding #Edmonds #StrEATeries to publiccomments@edmondswa.gov
The agenda will post here by the end of the week: https://t.co/PjXqYqJsy6 https://t.co/xaZ71O7zpf
— Laura Johnson (@Laura4Edmonds) December 30, 2021
Those in attendance at the failed special session appeared to favor a compromise that would charge businesses with streateries $1,000 per parking space, to be paid either in a lump sum or installments by May 1, 2022.
