LOCHSLOY — Property owners in the Lochaven neighborhood along the Pilchuck River are on their way to approving the formation of a new flood control district they hope will help protect their homes.
The neighborhood is off of Highway 92 between Lake Stevens and Granite Falls. It’s near a bend in the Pilchuck River and the force of the water has been undercutting the river’s bank. Floods have carried away chunks of land over the past few years.
Homeowners have said they are worried they’ll lose their yards and houses if nothing is done to stabilize and shield the bank. A flood control district would let them issue bonds and levy assessments on properties in order to pay for projects. They’ve proposed adding rip-rap and plantings along the bank, either where it is now or farther out in the river to fill in the bank that has been lost.
As of Friday afternoon, 20 ballots had been counted and at least one remained to be tallied in the small special election, held Aug. 2 alongside the primary. Twelve people voted for forming the Lochsloy Pilchuck Flood Control District and eight said no. Results are expected to be certified Aug. 16. Until then, they are considered unofficial.
Because Snohomish County owns the right-of-way abutting 152nd Ave. NE, which falls within the district boundaries, the executive was allowed to cast a vote on behalf of the county. The County Council on Monday unanimously directed Dave Somers to vote against the district.
Dawn Roberts, a property owner and prospective commissioner in the district, said passing the measure would “open up a bunch of doors for us as a very small community.”
The next step is to create a method for assessing properties in the district. A meeting is planned later this month to work with the County Council on that and to formally elect commissioners for the district. They have until Sept. 1 to get assessments figured out if the district is to collect money in 2017.
Roberts has talked to neighbors who are against the district and the common theme was that they can’t afford to pay more on their properties. People are scared of being taxed out of their homes.
“It’s a very real concern,” she said. “At the end of the day, I want to be able to say hi to my neighbors. I don’t want to see hardship created because someone’s money hungry to get something done, regardless of what it does to families.”
She wants to work with her neighbors to make sure the flood district doesn’t demand too much but still can pay for projects to secure the bank, she said.
The projects include habitat work for fish and other wildlife, such as planting shade trees. The district has faced some resistance centered on concerns for fish habitat.
Kari Bray: 425-339-3439; kbray@heraldnet.com
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