Edmonds advances annexation plans for Esperance, hosts community forum
Everett. The city of Edmonds is advancing efforts to annex the unincorporated Esperance neighborhood, with a public meeting set for Sept. 30 to gather input from residents.
The session, co-hosted by Edmonds city staff and the Esperance Neighborhood Alliance, a long-standing advocacy group of local homeowners, is scheduled for 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Chase Lake Elementary School.
Esperance spans 464 acres and is entirely encircled by Edmonds, home to roughly 4,500 individuals. Should annexation proceed, operations such as code enforcement, public works, planning, and police services would transition from Snohomish County to Edmonds municipal control.
Attendees will be invited to voice concerns, ask questions, and offer feedback during the upcoming gathering. The city’s current strategy calls for a two-stage annexation process. The initial phase would include the eastern and southern sections, covering Esperance Park, and home to just over 2,000 people. A second phase could follow, extending into the northwestern and north-central zones, which collectively hold around 2,400 residents.
Historically, Esperance residents have been skeptical of annexation: five ballot defeats dating back to the 1960s, the most recent occurring in 2005. However, momentum has shifted in recent years. Starting in 2025, the Esperance Neighborhood Alliance renewed annexation advocacy, citing evolving county zoning policies as a catalyst. Supporters argue city incorporation could bring benefits like faster emergency dispatch, improved tap water standards, and safer walking routes for pedestrians and cyclists.
State legislation enacted in the 2000s now allows Edmonds to proceed without a formal voter referendum, provided it reaches an interlocal pact with Snohomish County. This option applies specifically to “island” unincorporated areas where at least 80% of their borders adjoin a single municipality, a condition Esperance meets.
Edmonds has yet to issue a final approval. As the proposal progresses, city officials plan to share more details on annexation boundaries, applicable zoning codes, projected household expenses, and service comparisons.
A prior version of the announcement mistakenly listed the event date as Sept. 23; the correct date is Sept. 30.