Comprehensive Plan — Community Sustainability Element

The City of Edmonds Comprehensive Plan contains a number of different elements, some mandated by the Growth Management Act, and others included because they are important to the Edmonds community. A requirement of the Growth Management Act is that the various comprehensive plan elements be consistent with one another. The City’s Community Sustainability Element is intended to provide a framework tying the other plan elements together, illustrating how the overall plan direction supports sustainability within the Edmonds community. A key aspect of this approach is also to provide more direct linkages between long term planning and shorter-term strategic planning and policy review which guide the use of city resources and programs, especially budgeting. For example, a new emphasis on life cycle efficiency may take precedence over simple least-cost analytical methods.

Council Resolution #1129

(September 2006)

Supported the Kyoto Protocol and endorsed the US Mayors' Climate Protection Agreement, including a commitment to:

• Conduct an emissions inventory and forecast
• Set greenhouse gas reduction target
• Develop an action plan to achieve the target
• Implement the plan
• Monitor and evaluate progress

Council Resolution #1130

(September 2006)

Joined ICLEI and committed the city to participating in the Cities for Climate Protection Campaign. Pledged to take a "leadership role in promoting public awareness about the causes and impacts of climate change." Committed to the same 'five milestones' contained in the Cities Climate Protection Campaign.

Council Resolution #1168

(April 2008)

Established the City of Edmonds Sustainable Building Policy, setting a LEED Silver standard for city buildings and facilities (new facilities > 5,000 sf; renovation of existing structures > 50% of assessed value). Emphasized Life Cycle Cost Analysis for building construction and maintenance decisions.

Council Resolution #1169

(April 2008)

Joined the Cascade Agenda as a Member City (later updated to become a Leadership City). Endorsed the Cascade Agenda principles of making the city "complete, compact and connected."

Council Resolution #1170

(April 2008)

Committed the city to a set of environmental principles, policies, and goals for future action. Emphasis on the city taking a "leadership role" in addressing climate issues. Recognized the key role of education, transit and transit-oriented development (TOD) in a "complete and coordinated policy framework."

Council Resolution #1252

(June 2011)

Commitment that the City of Edmonds continue its work toward energy independence through policy, education, advocacy and action.

Council Resolution #1389

 (June 2017)

Commitment to achieving or exceeding at the local level the goals established in the Paris Climate Accord.