SNOHOMISH – A big maple tree stands near the white two-story Victorian home where Colleen McNaur has lived for about six years.
Like many other trees nearby, the maple has been there a long time – probably more than a century – protecting homes from strong winds, entertaining children and acting as a buffer between the neighborhood and traffic on Bickford Avenue.
“It’s my tree, but its roots go all the way down there,” McNaur said, pointing her finger into a grove of trees owned by nearby Bickford Ford.
McNaur is worried about how a proposed expansion by the auto dealer would affect her trees.
Bickford Ford, which operates west of Bickford Avenue, plans to expand its business in a commercial zone across the street. McNaur’s property sits next to the 8.4-acre development site.
As proposed, the project would fill four wetlands and replace trees with a 70,000-square-foot building for trailer sales, plus parking, said Dwight Hartman, the city’s planning manager.
After an environmental impact study was done, the city decided the project wouldn’t substantially affect the surrounding environment, Hartman said.
But some area residents disagree. Their informal group, called Friends of Forbes Hill, hired a lawyer to appeal the city’s decision, McNaur said.
“We don’t want trouble. We just want things done properly,” she said, adding that more environmental study needs to be done.
Bob Bickford, Bickford Ford’s vice president, said the company is working with an arborist to allay neighbors’ concerns.
“It is not our intent to inflict undue harm on any of the adjacent properties,” he said.
The company also took drainage water into account, Bickford said. The development will have a proper storm drainage and treatment system.
“We have a strong desire to be on good terms with our neighbors and to be responsive to their concerns and those of the community,” he said.
The city’s hearing examiner wrapped up a public hearing on the project July 30 and is expected to announce a decision within 10 business days, McNaur said. If the hearing examiner approves the project, Friends of Forbes Hill will appeal the decision, she added.
In addition to the possible impact on nearby trees, there are other problems with the project, resident Katherine Zecca said.
Once the wetlands are filled, where can the water go? Zecca asked. “I just have questions regarding flooding that comes off the hill.”
And the trees have protected the neighborhood from heavy winds, Zecca said. “If they are gone, there’s no protection at all.”
Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@heraldnet.com.
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