Monroe may grow by 98 acres

MONROE – The City Council is mulling over whether to add about 100 acres to the city.

If approved, the change could lead to dense housing developments northeast of the Evergreen State Fairgrounds.

The City Council has scheduled for Wednesday a public hearing on the proposed annexation of 58 acres adjacent to the city’s northern limits. The proposal is based on the consent of property owners representing more than 60 percent of the assessed value of the land, said Dan Bannier, Monroe’s senior planner.

Also, the city recently received an annexation proposal for 40 acres west of the 58-acre parcel, Bannier said. The City Council will likely have a hearing on that proposal in January, he said. The two parcels are currently zoned residential in the city’s urban growth area.

Fred Ballinger, who owns about 6 acres in the 58-acre section, said he supports the annexation because he wants the city to extend sewer lines to his property.

“Growth is inevitable. Our children need a place to live,” said Ballinger, 63.

With sewer access, more houses could be built on his land, said Ballinger, who plans to retire soon. If the city annexes his land, he could make far more money selling his property to a housing developer, he said.

City Councilman Mitch Ruth said he has yet to decide on the two annexations.

“I want to hear what the public needs to say,” Ruth said.

Annexation hearing

The Monroe City Council will have a public hearing on the annexation of 58 acres northeast of the Evergreen State Fairgrounds at 7 p.m. Wednesday at City Hall, 806 W. Main St.

For more information, call 360-794-7400.

Whether the area ends up in the city or stays in Snohomish County, Ruth said, he believes it will be developed and the development will affect Monroe residents.

If the area is in the city, “we will have control, period,” he said. “If it’s in the county, we will have none.”

The city’s population grew from 4,278 in 1990 to 15,178 in 2004, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. The city’s population in 2025 is projected at 26,590, up 65 percent from the current figure.

Ruth said he would like to make sure the city uses its existing land efficiently to cope with growth before expanding its boundaries. But given the speed of the city’s growth, annexation needs to happen, he said.

“There’s no doubt people are multiplying, and dirt is not. We need to expand dirt,” he said.

Meanwhile, the city on Wednesday will decide whether to expand its urban growth area by 284 acres. If the council approves the change, two parcels – 249 acres north of U.S. 2 on Roosevelt Road and 35 acres west of Highway 522 near Monroe High School – would be designated in the city’s plan as areas to take in more people and development in the future.

Reporter Yoshiaki Nohara: 425-339-3029 or ynohara@ 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

Olivia Vanni / The Herald 
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County.
The Mukilteo Lighthouse. Built in 1906, it’s one of the most iconic landmarks in Snohomish County. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mukilteo mayor vetoes council-approved sales tax

The tax would have helped pay for transportation infrastructure, but was also set to give Mukilteo the highest sales tax rate in the state.

Marysville Mayor Jon Nehring gives the state of the city address at the Marysville Civic Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2024, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville council approves interim middle housing law

The council passed the regulations to prevent a state model code from taking effect by default. It expects to approve final rules by October.

x
State audit takes issue with Edmonds COVID grant monitoring

The audit report covered 2023 and is the third since 2020 that found similar issues with COVID-19 recovery grant documentation.

Bothell
Bothell man pleads guilty to sexual abuse of Marysville middle schoolers

The man allegedly sexually assaulted three students in exchange for vapes and edibles in 2022. His sentencing is set for Aug. 29.

Larsen talks proposed Medicaid cuts during Compass Health stop in Everett

Compass Health plans to open its new behavioral health center in August. Nearly all of the nonprofit’s patients rely on Medicaid.

Everett
Judge sentences man, 73, for intending to have sex with ‘teen’ in Everett

The Arizona man sent explicit images to an agent posing as a 13-year-old. Investigators found images of child sexual abuse on his phone.

State’s draft of climate action plan open for public comment

Residents can submit public comments or climate-related stories online through Aug. 22.

Community members gather for the dedication of the Oso Landslide Memorial following the ten-year remembrance of the slide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
The Daily Herald garners 6 awards from regional journalism competition

The awards recognize the best in journalism from media outlets across Alaska, Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington.

The Edmonds School Board discusses budget cuts during a school board meeting on Tuesday, April 15, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds school board approves 2025-26 budget

After facing an estimated $8.5 million shortfall earlier in the year, the board passed a balanced budget Tuesday.

A wall diagram shows the “journey of the ballot” at the new Elections Center on Tuesday, July 9, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County Auditor: No need for feds to meddle with state or local elections

Garth Fell’s comments were in response to a report of Justice Department mulling criminal charges against election officials.

Edmonds Police Chief Loi Dawkins speaks after the city council approved her appointment on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds City Council confirms new police chief

Assistant Chief Loi Dawkins will begin in the role Aug. 1. She has more than 23 years of law enforcement experience, including three years in Edmonds.

The Edmonds City Council discuss the levy during a city council meeting on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Edmonds votes to place levy lid lift on the ballot

By a vote of 5-2, the council decided to put the $14.5 million property tax levy lid lift to voters in November.

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.