Marysville grows again

Published 9:00 pm Thursday, February 17, 2005

MARYSVILLE – The city will grow by nearly 500 acres and 2,000 people on Monday as Lakewood becomes part of Marysville.

City officials expect the annexation will be just the start of growth, however, as developers already are eyeing the area for more homes and businesses.

About 60 people who attended a public hearing on the annexation in November supported the annexation because they would pay lower utility taxes and could expect faster police response times. In addition, the city plans to extend its sewer system to the north.

For the city, the annexation eventually will mean more property and sales tax revenues.

In 2004, Marysville encompassed about 10.1 square miles with a population of about 28,800. The city’s urban growth area brings the Marysville-area population to about 53,000.

“We’re doing a lot of things to make sure the land is ready, working on infrastructure and zoning,” city planning community development director Gloria Hirashima said.

“We know that if we want to be prepared for commercial development, we have to have the services available. We’re responding to some of the concerns people have up there so we don’t miss any opportunities.”

Among the changes, the city plans to bore under I-5 to extend its sewer lines to accommodate the residential and commercial growth. Already, developers have projects planned in the Lakewood area, although they won’t disclose them until the zoning is in place, Mayor Dennis Kendall said. Land-use hearings will begin in March to determine the zoning, which likely will be in place by April.

The Lakewood School District is not part of the annexation. Under state law, it must annex separately. It will remain a separate district rather than join the Marysville School District.

Lakewood’s path to annexation has progressed through petitions, elections and decisions since the mid-1990s, when Snohomish County, Marysville and Arlington officials worked out a plan for the urban growth areas. Arlington got the Smokey Point area, while Lakewood and an area called “the gap” between Arlington and Marysville were reserved for Marysville.

The current annexation began with a petition by 60 percent of the property owners to join the city.

On March 1, city officials will begin a door-to-door census with the help of Marysville Seniors Against Crime. That’s necessary so the city knows how many people actually live in the area, Hirashima said.

City officials will schedule meetings to talk to residents and allow city personnel to explain the differences between county and city laws governing issues such as parking and noise, she said.

“People are excited to have it happen,” Hirashima said.

Lakewood residents will pay 30 percent lower water and sewer rates than for service outside the city, but will pay a 5 percent utility tax for electricity and telephone service they didn’t pay as county residents.

The annexation will bring about a variety of changes, particularly to the police department.

“We’re just excited about this opportunity to go up there,” Police Chief Bob Carden said. “We think they’re going to be pleased with the services we provide.”

The department will switch from four beats citywide to five to cover the area, the only part of the city that will be west of I-5.

Eventually, the department will have to increase patrol staff. For now, “We’ll use overtime to make up the difference,” Carden said.

Already, officers have talked to business owners in the area, and police will use a north Marysville fire station so officers don’t have to drive back to the public safety building downtown.

While the city will provide services to the new residents, under state regulations it won’t receive property tax benefits from Lakewood until 2006.

Reporter Cathy Logg: 425-339-3437 or logg@heraldnet.com.