Our Towns
Published 9:00 pm Monday, February 28, 2005
Arlington
City approves Wal-Mart design
The Planning Commission has approved a building design for the proposed Wal-Mart in Smokey Point.
Cliff Strong, the city’s planning manager, said the company’s building plans met the city’s design guidelines. The only significant conflict, he said, was the city’s 12-foot height restriction for lights in pedestrian areas. Wal-Mart wanted 30-foot-high lights in its parking lot, which representatives for the company said should not be considered a pedestrian environment.
The commission reached a compromise, requiring Wal-Mart to use lower lights near the store, where pedestrians are concentrated, but allowing taller lights in the parking lot, Strong said.
The meeting only covered the city’s building design guidelines. Some residents raised other concerns, such as compatibility with the Arlington Airport nearby.
Strong said comments about those and any other concerns should be put in writing and sent to him at City Hall, 238 N. Olympic Ave, Arlington, WA 98223 or by e-mail at cstrong@ci.arlington.wa.us.
Darrington
Donations sought for scholarship
Donations for the Dr. N.C. Riddle Scholarship for 2005 are being accepted.
The scholarship helped four Darrington students start college last fall. Numerous local students have benefited from the scholarship over the years.
Donations can be sent to the Dr. N.C. Riddle Scholarship Committee, 30610 Giles Road, Darrington, WA 98241.
Bothell
Meeting tonight on road project
An open house about proposed improvements for 196th Street SW is scheduled for 69 tonight at Canyon Park Junior High, 23723 23rd Ave. SE. in Bothell.
The project will affect 196th between 24th Avenue W. and the Bothell-Everett Highway. Proposed improvements include widening the road to five lanes, a center turn lane, bicycle lanes, curbs, gutters and sidewalks.
Edmonds
Council continues height discussion
The Edmonds City Council will continue to deliberate on the downtown building heights issue at its meeting tonight.
The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the City Council Chambers at the Public Safety Complex, 250 Fifth Ave. N.
The council could make a decision on a proposal to raise the maximum allowed height of new downtown buildings from 30 to 33 feet, or could wait until a later date.
For more information call 425-775-2525 or go to www.ci. edmonds.wa.us.
Everett
Voter integrity meeting at PUD
A meeting about the Evergreen Freedom Foundation’s Voter Integrity Project will take place in Everett Wednesday.
The meeting will be at 7 p.m. in the PUD Auditorium, 2320 California St.
Bob Williams, founder and president of the foundation, and Mike Siegel, a radio talk show host, will lead the program.
They pair claim that in the 2004 governor’s race, 489 felons and 64 dead people voted and at least 437 provisional ballots were illegal.
To find out more, go to www.effwa.org and click on Voter Integrity Project.
Neighbors to talk about diversity
The View Ridge, Madison Neighborhood Association will meet at 6:45 p.m. Wednesday in the library at Madison Elementary School, 616 Pecks Drive.
Neighbors also will discuss embracing ethnic, religious and social diversity and how to become better neighbors.
The group also will discuss the possibilities of applying for nonprofit status, its summer plans and its future projects and fund-raisers.
Island County
Freeland-area plan delayed
Freeland residents who want a chance to weigh in on how their area on Whidbey Island will develop will have to wait a while longer.
County planners have been working on a new “sub-area plan.” During preparation and review of a draft environmental impact statement for the plan, the county determined that more scientific information was needed.
“The county will provide notice of all public meetings and all necessary documents well in advance for sufficient time to plan and review,” according to a progress report e-mailed by the county planning department.
The plan, as well as other related documents and maps, are available online at www.islandcounty.net/planning/freeland.htm or at the Freeland Library, 5495 Harbor Ave.
Once the draft environmental impact statement is finished, residents will get chances to comment at a public meeting as well as during a 45-day public comment period.
For more information, call 360-679-7339.
Lake Stevens
Library hosts family story time
The Lake Stevens Library will host a family story time 7-7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the library, 1804 Main St.
The program includes stories, songs and play to celebrate spring.
Lynnwood
Parks board to meet tonight
The Lynnwood Parks and Recreation Board will discuss ideas for a community center and a park district at its meeting tonight.
The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the Wickers Building at Heritage Park, 19921 Poplar Way.
The board also will discuss a Starbucks neighborhood park program and the city’s Critical Areas Ordinance.
For more information call 425-775-1971 or go to www.ci.lynnwood.wa.us.
Marysville
Planning panel to meet tonight
The Marysville Planning Commission will meet at 7 tonight at City Hall, 1049 State Ave.
The commission will continue its review of documents and a hearing examiner decision. The meeting is open to the public.
City hosts open house tonight
The Marysville Planning Commission and staff will host a series of open houses in various neighborhoods.
The first meeting is from 4-6 tonight at City Hall, 1049 State Ave.
The purpose is to present an overview of the city’s draft comprehensive plan update and development regulations, review the preferred land use alternatives and answer questions.
Mill Creek
Council could decide on annex
The Mill Creek City Council will discuss the proposed northeast annexation at its meeting tonight.
The council could decide whether to send the proposal to the county for further review. The council could send the annexation as proposed or leave out a small area where residents signed a petition against joining the city.
If the annexation is sent to the county and the county gives its approval, the proposal would go back to the City Council for a final decision.
Monroe
Hospital offers weight loss class
Valley General Hospital will offer Mindful Eating, a four-week weight loss workshop that employs hypnotherapy with an emphasis on nutrition education, conscious selections and lifestyle changes.
The workshop will be 6:30-8 p.m. on Tuesdays March 8-29. The fee is $36.
To register, call the hospital’s community relations department at 360-794-1411 or go online at www.valleygeneral.com.
Mukilteo
Psychologist to edit encyclopedia
Tony Tinsley, a Mukilteo psychologist and city councilman, has accepted an invitation from Sage Publications to edit volume two of the forthcoming “Encyclopedia of Counseling.”
The four-volume encyclopedia will provide information on contemporary topics in psychology and psychotherapy, said Frederick T.L. Leong of the University of Tennessee at Knoxville, the editor-in-chief of the encyclopedia.
The volume edited by Tinsley will focus on mental health and personal/emotional counseling.
Snohomish
Games for dogs set for March 26
Dogs-n-Stuff 4-H Club will offer a Spring Fling for Dogs 1-4 p.m. March 26 at A Canine Experience, 18208 67th Ave. SE.
The event includes the dog Easter egg hunt, games and dog demonstrations.
For more information, call A Canine Experience at 360-668-0350.
Stanwood
Safe driving class taught at clinic
The AARP safe driving class will be 1-5 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday at the Stanwood Health Clinic, 9631 269th St. NW.
The class is designed to enhance the driving of people older than 50. Those older than 55 can qualify for a discount on auto insurance.
The course costs $10. To register, call Skagit Valley Hospital at 360-428-2424.
