EVERETT — The Snohomish County Council is considering a plan to add townhouses and apartments along Highway 99, focusing growth in an area the county says has the infrastructure and services to support it.
Endorsed by County Executive Dave Somers and the Planning Commission, the proposal amends development requirements in a corridor roughly a third of a mile along both sides of Highway 99. It would stretch from Everett’s southern border to the Mukilteo Speedway, also known as Highway 525.
The plan increases the maximum density allowed in multifamily residential and commercial areas from 22 to 58 housing units per acre. It also would permit taller buildings, up to 75 feet, and boosts the minimum density required from 4 to 15 dwellings per acre.
County staff said this change was to encourage multifamily and townhouse development along a corridor with frequent transit service.
Single-family areas would not be affected by the proposed changes.
Under the plan, lot size requirements also would be eliminated. County staff say that gives developers greater design flexibility and infill opportunities with small, irregular shaped lots.
To ease transition into single-family areas, adjacent buildings taller than 45 feet will be required to have setbacks on the upper stories.
Another key part of the plan expands the ability of builders to buy development rights from rural landowners. The county’s transfer of development rights program aims to preserve farmland and other resource lands by allowing development rights to be sold and used instead in designated areas that are considered more appropriate for development.
Developers who want to build to the maximum allowed density along the Highway 99 corridor would be required to buy housing credits through the program.
Once development rights are sold, the rural land is permanently protected from development. Local governments decide what areas can receive the housing credits.
Critics of the proposed Highway 99 corridor plan voiced concern over lost parking and the disappearance of trees. However, environmental groups support the idea because it targets sprawl.
Kristin Kelly, representing the Pilchuck Audubon Society, endorsed the proposal during a public hearing Wednesday.
“It will create incentives for developers to build in these areas that are ripe for redevelopment,” Kelly said. “We have so few receiving areas (for the transfer of development rights program) left. We need to make the transfer of development rights program work to help our farmers be successful and to protect our last remaining agricultural lands.”
Nick Bratton, a policy director with the land conservation group Forterra, urged the council to approve the amendments.
“It’s not a common occurrence when such diverse interests as farmers, developers, foresters, tribes and environmental groups all stand on the same side of a land-use issue,” Bratton said.
After receiving a question regarding future transit along the highway, Stephanie Wright, chairwoman, asked the council to postpone the decision.
Council members voted to continue the public hearing until May 23. Written comments will also be accepted until then. If the council approves the changes they would go into effect this summer.
Lizz Giordano: 425-374-4165; egiordano@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @lizzgior.
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