STANWOOD — Derek Anderson, 27, bought his home north of Stanwood to stay clear of urban sprawl.
When the owner of some nearby land proposed building businesses in the neighborhood, Anderson and several other local neighbors feared a strip mall would be built in their back yards.
“Most of the consensus is we don’t want that down here,” Anderson said.
Although the idea of allowing businesses in residential areas can be unpopular, Stanwood leaders have left the door open for commercial growth in residential areas.
The City Council recently rejected a proposed zoning code change that would have allowed businesses to be built on the strip of land near Anderson’s home.
However, the council also supported expanding the city’s urban growth area to include 60 acres northeast of the intersection of 284th Street NW and 68th Avenue NW. If the county approves the boundary change, then the area would be zoned as traditional neighborhood — a zoning that would allow for some types of small business.
“If it’s done correctly, and if commercial was included in it, it would probably be more central to more people,” Stanwood City Councilman Bill Carlton said.
Even if a plan to add neighborhood businesses has public support, that doesn’t necessarily mean those businesses would have customers, said Bill Keller, a longtime resident and member of the Stanwood Chamber of Commerce.
The Cedarhome Store, the lone business in the community north of Stanwood, remains boarded up after closing down several years ago. The store thrived before major grocery retailers such as Haggen and QFC came to Stanwood.
Stanwood is a bedroom community and new residents likely will be more willing to drive farther to get better prices than small businesses could offer, Keller said.
“They’d go down for a quart of milk or a small item, but that’s not enough to support a store,” Keller said.
A large retailer north of Stanwood might be more successful, but the city already has blocked plans for a Wal-Mart to be built in Stanwood, he said.
“I think people would fight any large, unwanted retailer,” Keller said.
Anderson, who has lived in Stanwood for nine years, believes more commercial growth will occur north of the city as more homes are built toward 300th Street NW.
He said residents might support some types of businesses in their neighborhoods.
“It depends on what it would be,” Anderson said. “I don’t think we’re there yet.”
Reporter Scott Pesznecker: 425-339-3436 or spesznecker@heraldnet.com.
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