The future of change in north Snohomish County is scheduled for debate today as officials begin the four straight days of hearings on plans that will govern growth through 2025.
| Public hearings start today
What’s happening? Snohomish County is proposing to boost the level of development allowed on properties throughout the county in its Comprehensive Plan update. What’s next? Hearings are scheduled this week on the first floor of the county’s east administration building, 3000 Rockefeller Ave., Everett. When are the hearings? Today: 1:30 to 5 p.m. and 6:30 to 10 p.m. focusing on Arlington, Darrington, Granite Falls, Lake Stevens, Marysville and Stanwood. Tuesday: 9 a.m. to noon and 1:30 to 4 p.m. focusing on Bothell, Brier, Edmonds, Everett, Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo and Woodway. Wednesday: 1:30 to 5 p.m. and 6:30 to 10 p.m. focusing on Monroe, Snohomish, Sultan, Maltby and Gold Bar. Thursday: 5 to 10 p.m. focusing on Bothell, Brier, Edmonds, Everett, Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo and Woodway. What if I can’t go the hearings? Testimony can be e-mailed to county.council@ co.snohomish.wa.us. How do I learn more? Go online to www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Departments/ PDS/Divisions/LR_Planning/ Projects_Programs/10_Year_Update.htm or call the County Council offices at 425-388-3494. |
Other parts of the county will be addressed Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.
At issue is where the county will put nearly 300,000 more people who are expected to arrive here over the next 20 years.
Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon has proposed opening up more rural land for housing and commercial developments to make room for more people and jobs.
His proposal also boosts the number of houses and apartments per acre within existing cities and urban areas.
The Snohomish County Council now has its turn with the plan. Council members have suggested more than 180 changes, some of which increase development in neighborhoods and others that would spread out homes on larger lots.
The council plans more than 24 hours of public hearings over the next four days.
The county is developing the plan to comply with the state Growth Management Act. The law requires the county to give a full review of its housing and development plans once a decade.
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