According to a local June 9 press article, the Snohomish County Public Works Department is likely to sell its midtown 9-acre site in Snohomish city this summer to the highest bidder. Current zoning is “commercial,” which covers a range of activities, from light-industry, RV parks, storage units, medium-density, three-story, multi-family units to retail shops, etc.
Mayor John Kartak and the town council unnecessarily created an ad hoc “midtown planning task force” (costing taxpayers $70,500) to rezone the area to unlimited-density, multi-family, high-rise buildings, apparently at the behest of developers like Craig Skotdal.
Skotdal is a major developer of downtown Everett who similarly wants to develop Snohomish’s midtown area. In his letter, Skotdal requested five-story, unlimited-density, multi-family units above two stories of concrete garages. In addition, he wants the same property-tax exemption the city foolishly allowed in its failed Pilchuck District. Skotdal argues the demand for brick-and-mortar retail shops is declining while the demand for multi-family high-rises is increasing.
This certainly will ruin Snohomish’s small-town character. (Some Southern-state transplants have even likened Snohomish to “Mayberry, South Carolina” or parts of Appalachia.)
There are no compelling reasons to change the definition of commercial zoning in the city of Snohomish in order to benefit special interests.
The City Planning Commission in October and ultimately the City Council in November should reject the proposed Midtown Comprehensive Plan Amendment.
Morgan Davis
Snohomish
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
