Mill Creek says to Lynnwood: ‘The border between our cities is I-5’

Discussions are heating up over a request from Lynnwood to extend a portion of its eastern boundary into Mill Creek territory.

The issue has been on the table for years, since all Snohomish County Cities were required through the state Growth Management Act to adopt Municipal Urban Growth Areas — chunks of land that will likely be annexed by the cities in years to come. The assumed boundaries for Lynnwood and Mill Creek have overlapped between Interstate 5 and Larch Road since the MUGAs were established approximately four years ago Then, about a year ago, the Lynnwood City Council extended its MUGA boundary east to encompass a segment of North Road where the new Lynnwood High School is located.

City leaders in Mill Creek, while sympathetic to Lynnwood’s predicament, aren’t interested in relinquishing any of the city’s MUGA — even the segment between I-5 and Larch Road.

“It may not make sense at this time for the city (Mill Creek) to annex that land, but it will make a lot of sense down the road when we start seeing those properties redeveloped,” Mayor Terry Ryan said. “Most people in that area say they identify more with Mill Creek than with Lynnwood anyway. I maintain the natural border between our cities is I-5.”

Lynnwood’s on track to annex its entire MUGA by the end of 2009 while Mill Creek leaders have no intention of extending their city’s borders.

“We’re ready to move forward with these annexations,” Lynnwood Community Development staffer Kevin Garrett said. “We’re really hoping to come to an agreement with Mill Creek as soon as possible so we can move forward.”

Leaders in Mill Creek speculate that Lynnwood’s plans are driven by a tax incentive attached to annexations that generate population increases of 10,000 people or more. In those cases cities are entitled to a portion of the state’s share of sales tax revenue. However, that incentive is set to expire Jan. 1, 2010.

“It seems to me this is all financially motivated,” Ryan said. “Look, we consider Lynnwood a good neighbor and this is nothing more than a small argument between family members. I have no doubt it will be resolved.”