Stanwood mulls doubling in size

By Brian Kelly

Herald Writer

STANWOOD — If Stanwood annexes the unincorporated Cedarhome area, the size of the city would almost double and Cedarhome residents would pay lower taxes, according to a recently released consultant’s report.

The Stanwood City Council will review the report in a workshop tonight. But public testimony on the 343-acre annexation will not be taken until a hearing in October.

It’s the third time property owners at the town’s northeast end have tried to stretch Stanwood’s city limits to include their neighborhood. The city council shot down two earlier proposals, most recently in November 1998, because of concerns over a lack of planning on wastewater treatment.

Those issues, however, have been resolved. If the annexation is approved, it would be the largest in Stanwood’s history. Although the city has approved six annexations since December 1993, they have been small, and the town has grown modestly, adding just 100 acres.

"I think we’re making up a little bit for lost time," said Stephanie Cleveland, Stanwood’s community development director. "Instead of taking it little by little, where you’re doing smaller annexations, we’re just doing one fairly large one."

Annexation proponents say the area should be included because Stanwood, as well as Snohomish County, have made major infrastructure investments in the neighborhood, including an elementary school, street improvements, a sewage lift station and a water line extension.

But the size of the annexation could grow even bigger.

An unincorporated area of 129 acres that would link Cedarhome to the existing city limits at 80th Street NW could be added by the state board that reviews annexation proposals. If that area is included, Stanwood would increase by 41 percent, according to a consultant’s study.

Stanwood’s population would more than double if the entire area is added, according to the report. Stanwood is expected to have a population of 4,077 by 2015; the population projection for Cedarhome and the added area is estimated at 4,125 by 2015.

The city council has taken no stand on increasing the annexation area, Cleveland said.

"The council has opted to remain neutral on that," she said. "They weren’t going to push it; they weren’t going to fight it."

The annexation proposal cleared one of its most significant hurdles in January, when property owners representing 60 percent of the land value in Cedarhome signed petitions to join the city.

Since then, consultants for the city, Shockey/Brent Inc. of Everett, have been preparing a study to gauge annexation impacts. The report says the annexation is consistent with city and county growth plans, and infrastructure improvement plans are in place to handle new burdens on roads, sewers and other capital facilities.

If the area is annexed, Cedarhome residents would pay lower taxes. According to the annexation study, the owner of a $150,000 home would see a property tax decrease of $112 a year.

The city council will discuss the annexation during a study session tonight. The meeting starts at 7 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall.

You can call Herald Writer Brian Kelly at 425-339-3422 or send e-mail to kelly@heraldnet.com.

Talk to us

More in Local News

An example of the Malicious Women Co. products (left) vs. the Malicious Mermaid's products (right). (U.S. District Court in Florida)
Judge: Cheeky candle copycat must pay Snohomish company over $800K

The owner of the Malicious Women Co. doesn’t expect to receive any money from the Malicious Mermaid, a Florida-based copycat.

A grave marker for Blaze the horse. (Photo provided)
After Darrington woman’s horse died, she didn’t know what to do

Sidney Montooth boarded her horse Blaze. When he died, she was “a wreck” — and at a loss as to what to do with his remains.

A fatal accident the afternoon of Dec. 18 near Clinton ended with one of the cars involved bursting into flames. The driver of the fully engulfed car was outside of the vehicle by the time first responders arrived at the scene. (Whidbey News-Times/Submitted photo)
Driver sentenced in 2021 crash that killed Everett couple

Danielle Cruz, formerly of Lynnwood, gets 17½ years in prison. She was impaired by drugs when she caused the crash that killed Sharon Gamble and Kenneth Weikle.

A person walks out of the Everett Clinic on Thursday, Sept. 7, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
The Everett Clinic changing name to parent company Optum in 2024

The parent company says the name change will not affect quality of care for patients in Snohomish County.

Tirhas Tesfatsion (GoFundMe) 20210727
Lynnwood settles for $1.7 million after 2021 suicide at city jail

Jail staff reportedly committed 16 safety check violations before they found Tirhas Tesfatsion, 47, unresponsive in her cell.

A semi-truck rolled over blocking all traffic lanes Thursday morning on I-5 north just south of Arlington on Sept. 21, 2023. (Washington State Patrol)
Overturned trailer spills fish onto I-5 near Arlington, closing lanes

The crash blocked all lanes, forcing drivers going north during rush hour to use the left shoulder.

The Marysville Municipal Jail is pictured Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023, in Marysville, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Marysville weighs mandatory jail time for repeated ‘public disorder’

The “three strikes” proposal sets a minimum sentence of 30 days in jail for crimes like public drug use and trespassing.

Everett police on patrol heard gunshots near 26th Street and Lombard Avenue and closed off multiple roads as they investigated on Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023. (Everett Police Department)
3 teens arrested after gunfire in downtown Everett

No one was injured. Police heard gunfire in the area of 26th Street and Lombard Avenue.

It’s time to celebrate and say thanks

Local journalism — and community support — will be the stars of Behind the News Stories on Oct. 24 in Edmonds.

Most Read