Local News

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Robert Frank, City Editor frank@heraldnet.com   Published: Thursday, June 4, 2009 Bigger Bothell put on hold The planned expansion into Snohomish County isn't ready, a state board rules. By Noah Haglund Herald Writer A citizen-led drive to greatly expand Bothell's city limits into Snohomish County will have to wait at least another year after a state board ruled Tuesday that the proposal wasn't ready. The Boundary Review Board decided Tuesday that more planning was necessary, especially for fire protection. "The citizens are going to be disappointed," said Mickie Gundersen, president of the Hilltop-­Locust Community Group, which has worked to join Bothell for 12 years. "What we really want is better representation." Gene Grieve, who has headed up the effort with Gundersen, said they would try again. The annexation would have added 22,000 residents to Bothell's current population of 32,000. Residents are split almost evenly between King County and Snoho­mish County; the annexation would have put the majority of the city north of the county line. Fire-service issues weighed most heavily on the board. Two fire districts serving the unincorporated areas said the annexation would have forced them to close one station each and lay off a combined 26 to 30 firefighters. Bothell planned to hire six new firefighters to replace them. "They're saying they can provide the same level of service with a lot fewer firefighters," said Snoho­mish County Fire District 1 Commissioner Jim Kenny. "Somehow, that doesn't add up." Fire District 7 faced similar problems, plus possibly losing a nearly $1.7 million federal grant. Another sticking point was a cross-county dispute about trash. King County officials say a late-1980s agreement gives them the right to all of Bothell's garbage. Snoho­mish County officials say the county could lose $1.9 million in annual revenue if it loses responsibility for handling the trash. Review board members, who voted 4-1 to keep the annexation from moving forward, worried about the potential for lawsuits without further planning. Bothell originally hoped to put the issue to ballot early next year. Now, it has to wait until at least late 2010. Bothell spokeswoman Joyce Goedeke said Wednesday the city was deciding how to proceed in light of the decision. Noah Haglund: 425-339-3465, nhaglund@heraldnet.com. READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

1. Shot ends search for man sought in killing of Seattle police officer 2. Thousands honor slain Seattle police officer Timothy Brenton 3. No charge will be filed in death of Everett pedestrian 4. Rain, thunderstorms forecast for lowlands 5. Bothell steamrolls Stanwood 6. PREP FOOTBALL/SWIMMING ROUNDUP: Halfback pass for touchdown sparks Sultan win 7. More jibba-jabba 8. Obama OK's homebuyer tax credit 9. Suspect identified in Seattle police killing 10. Dana nibbles into Somers’ lead 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Gough on track to keep job • Jazz vocalist headlines NPAC • Mountlake Terrace makes football history • Tax revenue sagging, city budgets lagging • ‘Touch of Magic' show opens at Gallery North • Jackson repeats as South champs • Holiday Bazaars Calendar • Meadowdale storms back to grab title • Edmonds moves to Fire District 1 • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed • Cascade Bank earns $1.6 million