Negotiations between city officials in Lake Stevens and Marysville over annexation of 411 acres of unincorporated land between the two cities just west of Highway 9 have reached an impasse.
That means the Snohomish County Council may leave the area in rural status, which neither city wants.
County Council Chairman Gary Nelson and Councilman John Koster said the fight could derail plans to allow suburban housing and commercial development at Whiskey Ridge.
“It may be neither (city) by the time we’re done,” Nelson said.
If the county balks at rezoning the area urban, sprawling rural development could happen in Whiskey Ridge, since county development rules differ from those in either city.
The County Council today will discuss proposals for Whiskey Ridge, with final votes scheduled Dec. 21. The proposed changes are part of a larger county plan for population, job and traffic growth through 2025.
Marysville wants to annex the entire 411 acres between 83rd Avenue NE and Highway 9 from 64th Street NE to Soper Hill Road. Lake Stevens wants the portion from Sunnyside School Road south to Soper Hill Road.
Whiskey Ridge is important because there is potential there for commercial development.
“As long as they refuse to move the boundaries, we’re at an impasse,” Lake Stevens Mayor Lynn Walty said.
He sent a letter Friday to the County Council, asking that Whiskey Ridge not be added to Marysville’s urban growth area.
Before talks broke down, Marysville offered to include Lake Stevens officials in developing a master plan for the area, offered planning and other support staff to help Lake Stevens with its annexation plans, and even offered to share revenue from commercial development in Whiskey Ridge.
No deal, Lake Stevens officials said.
“I don’t think they’re doing their job under the Growth Management Act,” Lake Stevens Councilman Glenn McLoughlin said. Marysville has “got so much undeveloped property in the UGA. Why aren’t they focusing on that?
“It tells me maybe they’re cherry-picking, with little to no regard for the impact on the Lake Stevens community.”
Marysville views it differently. Many Whiskey Ridge residents have participated in Marysville planning meetings over the last two years. The city also has spent millions of dollars expanding utilities toward that area with the intention of providing sewer service.
“We’re frustrated because we didn’t even hear from them; we just got a copy of the letter,” said Mary Swenson, Marysville’s chief administrative officer. “We were open to discussing what they may need.”
On Dec. 27, Lake Stevens will formally annex a large area that will move its western boundary to Highway 9.
On Monday, some residents addressed the Lake Stevens City Council and said they don’t want to be part of that city, but do want to become part of Marysville. Laura Lacey and several others gathered signatures and presented the petition to both cities.
Mark Minor, who lives in Whiskey Ridge, said he has an Everett address and a Lake Stevens phone number but considers himself a Marysville resident.
“It bothers me that government like this can interfere and not respect the people that own the property and live there,” he said.
Reporter Jeff Switzer contributed to this report.
Reporter Cathy Logg: 425-339-3437 or logg@heraldnet.com.
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