Call it the next wave.
Snohomish County is planning for about 275,000 more people by 2025, which would boost the population to an estimated 930,000.
New jobs will come, too – about 130,000 more of them.
Much of the housing and jobs are proposed for cities and their urban growth areas – about 30 percent in cities and 47 percent on urban land in unincorporated Snohomish County.
And nearly half the growth in the county in the next 20 years is expected to occur in the southwest corner.
But a plan by County Executive Aaron Reardon proposes to allow new urban development on four square miles of rural land near cities. On top of that, County Council members have added thousands of acres for consideration.
The urban growth areas are meant to eventually be annexed into nearby cities.
If plans are adopted as proposed, farmland and rural 5-acre lots would be allowed to develop suburban-style cul-de-sacs, apartments and condos, and shops or industrial business parks.
Reardon says jobs must come along with the people. “We can no longer afford to be a county of commuters,” he said.
Ideally, the people and jobs will be concentrated in cities and their urban growth areas. Properties outside cities and urban growth areas will be preserved for rural uses, including farming.
The properties that remain rural will still see housing for about 45,000 more people – an estimated 15 percent of the growth over the next 20 years.
The state Growth Management Act requires cities and counties to plan for population and job growth, as well as for roads, utilities and schools to support the growth.
Changes may be made to the county plans annually, and are required to be updated every 10 years.
Reporter Jeff Switzer: 425-339-3452 or jswitzer@healdnet.com.
Public hearings
What’s happening? Snohomish County is proposing to boost the level of development throughout the county in its comprehensive plan update.
What’s next? Hearings are scheduled next week at the county’s East Administration Building, 3000 Rockefeller Ave. in Everett.
When? Today: 1:30-5 p.m. and 6:30-10 p.m., focusing on Arlington, Darrington, Granite Falls, Lake Stevens, Marysville and Stanwood.
Tuesday: 9 a.m.-noon and 1:30-4 p.m., focusing on Bothell, Brier, Edmonds, Everett, Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo and Woodway.
Wednesday: 1:30-5 p.m. and 6:30-10 p.m., focusing on Gold Bar, Maltby, Monroe, Snohomish and Sultan.
Thursday: 5-10 p.m., focusing on Bothell, Brier, Edmonds, Everett, Lynnwood, Mill Creek, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo and Woodway.
What if I can’t go? Testimony may be e-mailed to county.council@ co.snohomish.wa.us.
How do I learn more? Go to www1.co.snohomish. wa.us and click on “10-Year Update of GMA Comprehensive Plan,” or call the Snohomish County Council offices at 425-388-3494.
Graphics by Judy Stanley
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