I am amazed that the Snohomish County Planning Department is only requiring a limited environmental impact statement from the Canadian developer of the proposed 19-acre Horseman’s Trail Development near my home at Picnic Point.
It has been my observation that Snohomish County planners have required much more information, studies and reports from our local developers in the past regarding developments of this scale and magnitude. It is my understanding that the Horseman’s Trail development as currently proposed would clear-cut 19 acres of pristine woodlands that are surrounded by native growth protection areas and wetlands. It would require extensive grading and retaining-wall placement on critical slopes. It would also add much more traffic to an already congested school intersection. A very questionable development of this significance and precedent clearly requires a full environmental impact statement.
If the currently proposed site plan for the Horseman’s Trail Development is allowed, then a new and lower standard for development on critical slopes may become established for Snohomish County. Will county planners, in all fairness, then allow our local developers equal opportunities to develop home sites by recontouring critical slopes and place retaining walls to somehow manage the consequences of their grading activities on the critical slopes?
The planning department should scrutinize the Horseman’s Trail proposal and its significance to my neighborhood and the entire county. A full environmental impact statement should be required. This proposed development should be completely reviewed.
Patrick Ford
Edmonds
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