EVERETT — City leaders agreed Wednesday evening to allow an Everett developer to move an alley that runs between two parcels of property.
Skotdal Real Estate’s request drew the attention of Imagine Children’s Museum supporters who were concerned the proposal would pose a safety risk to departing school buses and reduce the museum’s ability to develop property it owns nearby.
The City Council was split on the issue, with Arlan Hatloe, Ron Gipson, Jeff Moore and Shannon Affholter voting in favor of the Skotdal’s proposal.
Council members Paul Roberts, Drew Nielsen and Brenda Stonecipher voted against the plan.
The three supported a compromise that would have allowed for the Skotdals to move the alley and provide some access to the museum’s property.
That idea didn’t gain the support of the other members of the council.
Gipson pointed out that the Skotdals owned all the property touching both the current alley and the new location.
The city’s staff, including a street engineer, supported the Skotdal’s proposal. Deputy city attorney David Hall said the proposal met all the legal standards for a vacation.
Discussion on the matter lasted nearly two hours.
Museum board member Daniel Kosnik said he’d hoped the council would have allowed for a compromise.
“The compromise solution provided a solid resolution for all parties concerned,” he said.
Debra Smith: 425-339-3197; dsmith@heraldnet.com.
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