Birthplace of Snohomish County’s next city?

LAKE ROESIGER — Details are emerging about a proposed development that would build up to 6,000 houses at Lake Roesiger.

Developer Dave Barnett’s concept for the Falcon Ridge planned community calls for single-family houses, condos and apartments, and includes an 18-hole golf course on about 190 acres. A school, shops and jobs also are planned.

A mixture of densely populated buildings and detached houses will mirror projects in suburban Lynnwood or Mill Creek.

It might take until 2033 to finish building the entire project, and when it’s done it might become Snohomish County’s 21st city.

The housing is needed, said George Kresovich, Barnett’s land-use attorney.

“The average working stiff finds that they now have to drive until they qualify, because we’ve restricted the ability to provide housing that people want at prices they can afford,” Kresovich said.

The Lake Roesiger proposal is allowed by state law and county rules, but faces a long review expected to last years. It is the first for Snohomish County to review under strict growth management planning rules.

The conceptual project already faces opposition from Futurewise, a group that fights housing projects in rural areas, and County Council chairman Dave Somers, a Democrat.

As Barnett’s team and a 12-person county technical team study the project, residents in the Lake Roesiger area are buzzing about how the project might affect them.

Chief among the concerns is how traffic would change and what road projects would be needed.

Services for the project, such as water and fire protection, are already being discussed. Though the property is out in the sticks, the project has easy access to public drinking water.

Barnett’s team already approached Snohomish County Public Utility District to explore water service. Everett’s twin water supply lines from Spada Lake — each 4 feet in diameter — run right past Lake Roesiger.

“If that community were to go forward, it would be a big impact to us,” said Zeda Williams, a PUD senior administrative manager. The PUD has 18,500 customers. Adding another 6,000 homes plus businesses would be at least a 33 percent increase.

Barnett would have to build new local reservoirs and water pump stations, said Brant Wood, a senior water resource manager for the PUD.

“What we’ve said is that we can provide service, at their cost, for a large development,” Wood said.

Having a public water system available also means water for fighting fires. However, the local volunteer fire department worries that such a big development eventually will require higher taxes and a full-time fire department.

Fire District 16 Chief Brian Anderson lives on the west side of Lake Roesiger. He said his tiny fire district wouldn’t be overwhelmed by the development, but changes would be needed.

“If there was to be a city, there would undoubtedly have to be another fire station,” Anderson said.

The district’s annual budget is $195,000, a fraction of what larger full-time districts collect, he said. The district’s 23 volunteers protect about 2,500 people and get 200 emergency calls a year.

If Barnett’s housing project is built, the district might someday have to hire full-time firefighters, which would likely mean higher taxes, he said.

A cut of the state’s timber harvests in the area pays for the district’s fire engines and other equipment. The largest challenge is attracting volunteer firefighters, Anderson said.

Traffic is another concern for people who like their quiet cottage lifestyle.

Right now, there are few details on the number of trips that the project might put on the roads, and it would likely be the biggest hurdle the development would face. The developer will pay the county to hire a traffic consultant.

The county would expect the large development to someday become its own incorporated city, county planning director Craig Ladiser said.

“It’s got to have jobs and it’s got to have urban services,” ­Ladiser said.

If the project continues to move forward, public meetings could be scheduled this summer before an application is filed with the county for the project.

Yet this project and any other proposals for fully contained communities might still face a temporary ban being pushed by some on the County Council, Somers said. Somers and councilmen Mike Cooper and Brian Sullivan hope to get the ban to a vote in coming months.

“Probably millions of dollars will be spent on permitting and these things take on a life of their own,” Somers said. “This project makes no sense to me in that location, particularly for transportation. This is not the right type development for our rural areas.”

Reporter Jeff Switzer: 425-339-3452 or jswitzer@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

District 2 candidates differ in public safety approach

Incumbent Paula Rhyne is facing challenger Ryan Crowther. The third candidate, Jonathan Shapiro, is no longer seeking the seat.

From left to right, Edmonds City Council Position 3 candidates Joseph Ademofe, Alex Newman and Erika Barnett.
Amid budget crisis, Edmonds City Council candidates talk revenue, affordability

Three newcomers are facing off for Position 3 on the council, currently held by council President Neil Tibbott.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

Everett
Everett approves new fines for non-emergency lifts

The fire department will only issue fines for non-emergency lift assists at licensed care facilities, not for individuals at home calling 911.

Guns for sale at Caso’s Gun-A-Rama in Jersey City, New Jersey, which has been open since 1967. (Photo by Aristide Economopoulos/New Jersey Monitor)
After suing, WA gets carveout from Trump administration plan to return gun conversion devices

The Trump administration has agreed to not distribute devices that turn semi-automatic… Continue reading

The Wild Horse Wind and Solar Facility about 16 miles east of Ellensburg in central Washington is part of Puget Sound Energy’s clean energy portfolio. (Courtesy of Puget Sound Energy)
Megabill’s elimination of tax credits for clean energy projects could cost WA $8.7 billion

Washington households could see electricity costs increase $115 per year by 2029; 21,800 workers could lose their jobs by 2030, analysts say.

Everett mayor candidates focus on affordability, city budget in costly race

As incumbent Cassie Franklin seeks a third term in office, three candidates are looking to unseat her.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.