Snohomish says no to expansion by Bickford

Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, August 17, 2004

SNOHOMISH – The city’s hearing examiner on Monday denied a proposal to expand an auto dealership.

LeAnna Toweill said that Bickford Ford’s plan to expand its business at an 8.4-acre site along Bickford Avenue in town failed to meet the city’s environmental protection policies and regulations such as drainage basin protection.

The plan would have included creating a 70,000-square-foot building for vehicle service and parking after filling several wetlands and taking many old trees out of the area.

Bob Bickford, Bickford Ford’s vice president, couldn’t be reached for comment.

Some area residents expressed concerns about the project, saying the plan requires more environmental study. Their concerns included the development’s potential impact on other trees in the surrounding area.