LAKE STEVENS — The Lake Stevens City Council passed an interlocal agreement with the city of Everett on Oct. 14, in hopes of ending a six-year discussion of what development could happen near Everett’s regional waterline that runs through the southern part of Lake Stevens. Everett’s city council will consider the agreement on Nov. 5.
The waterline supplies 75% of Snohomish County, which serves approximately 640,000 people, including Lake Stevens. Four pipelines run through a portion of Lake Stevens, and each carries 50 million gallons per day, according to the interlocal agreement.
“It’s been a long, arduous journey to create a relationship with the city of Everett to decide what can and can’t be done on top of that water line,” said Lake Stevens Mayor Brett Gailey during the council meeting.
The contract will allow Lake Stevens to create parking lots on a 30-foot swath of the northern part of the waterline, Lake Stevens Community Development Director Russ Wright said during the meeting. In return, Lake Stevens will provide a 10-foot setback along the easement line where no structures can be built, he said.
“This ILA provides the framework for staff from Lake Stevens and Everett to work together to ensure protection of Everett’s critical Water Transmission Line infrastructure running through Lake Stevens while allowing for continued growth and development near the corridor within consistent constraints and requirements,” said Everett Public Works Director Ryan Sass.
Correction: A previous version of this story incorrectly stated the agreement was finalized. As of Oct. 27, Lake Stevens has agreed to the contract, and the Everett City Council is set to consider it on Nov. 5. Additionally, a previous version of this story mentioned work on improving 91st Ave. SE. That work and the money the city of Everett contributed were for a previous interlocal agreement.
Eliza Aronson: 425-339-3434; eliza.aronson@heraldnet.com; X: @ElizaAronson.
Eliza’s stories are supported by the Herald’s Environmental and Climate Reporting Fund.
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