County joins Arlington in zoning appeal

Arlington auto dealer Dwayne Lane will have more help in court as he fights a state growth board ruling that prevents him from building a car lot at Island Crossing.

The Snohomish County Council voted 3-1 to appeal the Growth Management Hearings Board ruling. Lane had earlier vowed to fight the ruling in Snohomish County Superior Court. The city of Arlington joined the battle on Lane’s side earlier this week.

"This is something that the city of Arlington wants," County Councilman John Koster said.

Others, however, have intensely fought Lane’s attempt to rezone the land at Island Crossing from farming to commercial zoning so he can move his Arlington car lot to the high-profile location next to I-5.

Opponents include Gov. Gary Locke, environmental and managed-growth groups, and farmers. Some said the flood-plain properties are prime for farming and should stay in agriculture. Others, including the Stillaguamish Flood Control District, said development of Island Crossing would make flooding worse for others nearby.

Lane, part owner of roughly 15 acres within the 210-acre annexation area, has said the land at Island Crossing can’t be commercially farmed.

In March, a state Growth Management Hearings Board rejected the County Council’s attempt to take the land out of farming and add it to Arlington’s urban growth area. The board said the county’s decision was "clearly erroneous" and violated state growth laws that protect farmlands.

Wednesday was the deadline for filing an appeal.

"I just think it’s a waste of money," said Councilman Dave Gossett, who voted no.

The Island Crossing annexation has been before the courts in the past and has been rejected. "I don’t think the county could get a different result," Gossett said.

Lane declined to comment after the council’s vote.

In a prepared statement released later, he said: "Along with the other property owners at Island Crossing, we believe that responsible commercial development of the area will result in 400 family-wage jobs and almost $20 million in annual state and local tax revenue."

Lane had earlier indicated that he would fight the hearings board decision in Superior Court.

Still, some said the county was joining the side that would eventually lose.

"They do not have a good chance of winning this case," said John Zilavy, legal director for 1000 Friends of Washington, a controlled-growth watchdog and one of the parties that asked the hearings board to review the County Council’s vote to put Island Crossing in Arlington’s urban growth area.

"It’s too bad that the County Council is going to continue to waste taxpayer money on these losing causes," Zilavy said.

Koster said the decision to appeal wasn’t easy.

"I have struggled to do as much as I possibly can, and have been an advocate for agriculture. But you have a piece of ground here that is unique," Koster said.

With water, gas and sewer lines already installed, infrastructure is in place that would support commercial development.

"You’ve got the freeway on one side and you’ve got urban development on the other end. And it hasn’t been farmed for years," he added. "And you’ve got a city that wants to annex it."

Reporter Brian Kelly: 425-339-3422 or kelly@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

The Victorian home sits on Whidbey Island. (Alyse Young for The Washington Post)
Whidbey couple thought they found their dream home — then came the bats

The couple had no recourse after unknowingly buying a home infested with thousands of bats.

The Snohomish County Jail is pictured on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Report reveals cause of Everett man’s death in Snohomish County Jail

Terry Crusha was booked into the jail on May 17. He died three days later, part of a string of deaths there.

Boeing workers file into Angel of the Winds Arena to vote on the latest contract proposal from the company on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists prepare to go back to work after strike ends

After voting no twice, 59% of union members approved the latest contract.

Twede’s Cafe is pictured at the corner of Bendigo Boulevard and North Bend Way on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in North Bend, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Relive ‘Twin Peaks’ with cherry pie and damn fine coffee at Twede’s Cafe

The North Bend cafe, known as Double R Diner on the campy cult-classic, serves up nostalgia and a damn good breakfast.

From left to right, Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay Evans and Lt. Serena Wileman. (Photos provided by the U.S. Navy)
Remains of Whidbey Island pilots to return this week

Lt. Cmdr Lyndsay Evans and Lt. Serena Wileman died in a crash on Oct. 15.

Everett
Everett men arrested in huge bust of Seattle drug ring

On Wednesday, investigators searched 31 locations, but suspects from Lynnwood and Edmonds remained at large, officials said.

The line for the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office extends around the Admin West building and onto Pacific Avenue Election Day as people wait for same-day registration, ballot issuance, and accessible voting services on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Snohomish County voter turnout down from 2020

Meanwhile, local Republicans celebrated the national results. And Democrats applauded the local.

People board a bus at the Canyon Park Park & Ride Swift Green Line stop in Bothell, Washington on Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2023. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
Big changes ahead as Community Transit mulls $254M budget

As ridership increases, Community Transit is planning for more service, security and a lower-emission fleet.

Police believe a driver fled a traffic stop and crashed into five people Saturday morning in Everett. (Photo provided by the Everett Police Department)
3 killed in Everett crash identified

Everett police are seeking tips about the early Saturday morning crash.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 18 years for causing baby’s brain damage

Seven years after dropping his baby on a table, Joseph Bradley was sentenced late last month.

The L pod orcas surprised many on Whidbey Island when they returned to Penn Cove for the first time in over 50 years. (Photo provided by Sarah Geist)
Orca family returns to Penn Cove after 50 years

In 1970 and 1971, orcas were herded into the cove off Whidbey Island. This month, members of the L pod returned.

A house is completely surrounded by floodwater along Pioneer Highway on Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023 in Stanwood, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
New gate is latest piece in Stanwood’s flood protection puzzle

The floodgate will drastically decrease reaction time when the Stillaguamish River jumps its banks.

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.