Officials want ideas for Everett land use

EVERETT – More than a year after residents shot down a county proposal for a high-density “urban village” at I-5 and 128th Street SW, officials are inviting them to draw from scratch their own ideas for the area.

The county had proposed to develop 73 mostly vacant acres southeast of the freeway interchange into a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood with up to 1,675 apartments, condominiums and townhouses, along with offices, stores, parks and bus stops.

County officials dropped the idea after two contentious meetings at which residents expressed fears that the plan would lead to traffic nightmares and drastically change the character of their neighborhood.

At an open house Aug. 25, county planning officials plan to make some of the same arguments they made last year. They say that residents of an urban village would be able to walk to bus stops, stores and, in some cases, to work. And they say that building housing close to I-5 would avoid clogging other county roads with more cars.

But this time, the county will not come with a specific plan, said Mary Lynne Evans, the county’s planning manager.

Evans still believes an urban village makes sense – at least on paper – for the 128th Street SW interchange. The county’s 1995 long-term growth plan recommended more high-density housing in the area. But the county is open to considering anything that residents come up with, Evans said.

Officials will ask participants at the meeting to break out into small groups to brainstorm ideas for the entire area around the interchange – not just the southeast part that was to house the urban village.

“We want to wipe the slate clean from last year,” said David Killingstad, a senior planner with the county.

Snohomish County has no choice but to accept more growth. The state’s Growth Management Act requires the county to accommodate as many as 300,000 more residents in the next 20 years and concentrate growth in certain areas.

But urban villages are not the only way to do that, Evans said. Smaller lot sizes for single-family homes are another way, she said.

Area resident Corky Lyman remains convinced that increased density would only make already heavy traffic worse. And she’s skeptical of claims that residents of an urban village would walk to stores.

“People get in a car to go two blocks to a grocery store,” she said.

Not everyone opposes an urban village. Peter Vanderlugt, who owns a home in the neighborhood, said high-density housing near the interchange would contain sprawl and stop traffic problems from spreading.

“I can’t see any sense in building further and further out,” he said.

Reporter David Olson: 425-339-3452 or dolson@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

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

Pharmacist Nisha Mathew prepares a Pfizer COVID booster shot for a patient at Bartell Drugs on Broadway on Saturday, Oct. 1, 2022, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Everett lawmakers back universal health care bill, introduced in Olympia

Proponents say providing health care for all is a “fundamental human right.” Opponents worry about the cost of implementing it.

x
Edmonds police shooting investigation includes possibility of gang violence

The 18-year-old victim remains in critical condition as of Friday morning.

Outside of the updated section of Lake Stevens High School on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2020 in Lake Stevens, Wa. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lake Stevens, Arlington school measures on Feb. 11 ballot

A bond in Lake Stevens and a levy in Arlington would be used to build new schools.

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Devani Padron, left, Daisy Ramos perform during dance class at Mari's Place Monday afternoon in Everett on July 13, 2016. (Kevin Clark / The Herald)
Mari’s Place helps children build confidence and design a better future

The Everett-based nonprofit offers free and low-cost classes in art, music, theater and dance for children ages 5 to 14.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Lake Stevens Sewer District wastewater treatment plant. (Lake Stevens Sewer District)
Lake Stevens sewer district trial delayed until April

The dispute began in 2021 and centers around when the city can take over the district.

A salmon carcass lays across willow branches in Edgecomb Creek on Thursday, Jan. 30, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tribes: State fish passage projects knock down barriers for local efforts

Court-ordered projects have sparked collaboration for salmon habitat restoration

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.