Official rejects Camano hotel proposal

COUPEVILLE – A developer’s plans to build two 10,000-square-foot hotels on the north end of Camano Island were rebuked Tuesday by Island County’s hearing examiner, Michael Bobbink.

Bobbink agreed with an appeal filed in March by Camano Action for a Rural Environment that overnight lodging is not a use that is allowed in the county’s rural village zone.

David Platter, a Camano Island developer, proposed to build the two hotels on 5.4 acres on Highway 532 south of Good Road as part of a larger commercial development that would include a restaurant, office and retail space, and a soccer field.

The environmental group opposed the plan for a number of reasons, including the zoning and concerns about groundwater.

In January, Platter asked Phil Bakke, the county’s planning director, for a zoning code interpretation about whether hotels could be built there. Bakke ruled in February that they could. That sparked the environmental group’s appeal.

The hearing examiner focused his decision on the zoning issue. He based his ruling on a 1998 decision by county commissioners that overnight lodging should not be allowed in a rural village zone, except for one project near Cornet Bay on Whidbey Island.

“In spite of requests from other citizens, the board did not allow overnight lodging in other areas zoned rural village,” Bobbink ruled.

The hearing examiner’s ruling said that county code does give the planning director interpretive authority, but not if the commissioners already have made their own interpretation.

For the project to proceed, it would require a zoning amendment by the commissioners, Bobbink ruled.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

The Victorian home sits on Whidbey Island. (Alyse Young for The Washington Post)
Whidbey couple thought they found their dream home — then came the bats

The couple had no recourse after unknowingly buying a home infested with thousands of bats.

The Snohomish County Jail is pictured on Thursday, Oct. 26, 2023, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Report reveals cause of Everett man’s death in Snohomish County Jail

Terry Crusha was booked into the jail on May 17. He died three days later, part of a string of deaths there.

Boeing workers file into Angel of the Winds Arena to vote on the latest contract proposal from the company on Monday, Nov. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Boeing Machinists prepare to go back to work after strike ends

After voting no twice, 59% of union members approved the latest contract.

Twede’s Cafe is pictured at the corner of Bendigo Boulevard and North Bend Way on Sunday, June 9, 2024, in North Bend, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Relive ‘Twin Peaks’ with cherry pie and damn fine coffee at Twede’s Cafe

The North Bend cafe, known as Double R Diner on the campy cult-classic, serves up nostalgia and a damn good breakfast.

From left to right, Lt. Cmdr. Lyndsay Evans and Lt. Serena Wileman. (Photos provided by the U.S. Navy)
Remains of Whidbey Island pilots to return this week

Lt. Cmdr Lyndsay Evans and Lt. Serena Wileman died in a crash on Oct. 15.

Everett
Everett men arrested in huge bust of Seattle drug ring

On Wednesday, investigators searched 31 locations, but suspects from Lynnwood and Edmonds remained at large, officials said.

“I Voted” stickers cover a table at the entrance to the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Margin narrows between Muzzall and St. Clair in WA Senate race

Meanwhile, a Lake Stevens school bond remained short of the 60% threshold in Wednesday’s results.

From left to right, Dave Larson and Sal Mungia.
WA Supreme Court race is incredibly close

Just 0.05% separated Sal Mungia and Dave Larson on Tuesday. More votes will come Wednesday.

Snow is visible along the top of Mount Pilchuck from bank of the Snohomish River near Rotary Park on Wednesday, May 10, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett initiative asks: Should the Snohomish River have legal rights?

Initiative 24-03 proposes legal standing to prevent environmental damage. Opponents say it’ll lead to unnecessary lawsuits.

Nora Xue, 24, fills out her ballot at the Snohomish County Auditor’s Office on Tuesday in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
5 big takeaways from election night in Snohomish County

The most expensive legislative contest was close. School funding plans were failing. And incumbents were largely cruising.

Carli Brockman lets her daughter Carli, 2, help push her ballot into the ballot drop box on the Snohomish County Campus on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Washington’s capital gains tax survives repeal effort

Voters were opposing Initiative 2109 by 63.2% to 36.8%, as of Tuesday.

x
Edmonds woman, 82, accused of hate crime, disrupting Trump rally

The incident reportedly came Monday, the day before Donald Trump would again become president-elect.

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.