Introduction
For a number of years, the City of Snohomish has been studying the feasibility of
expanding its Urban Growth Area (UGA) to include land north of US-2. UGA’s are
determined by County governments and identify where urban development and municipal
services may be located, and conversely which lands must remain rural. The authority
to change the City of Snohomish UGA boundary rests with the Snohomish County Council
(not City Council).
The land lying between the Snohomish UGA and the Lake Stevens UGA is designated
(by the County) as Rural and Rural-Urban Transition Area (RUTA). Only land within a
UGA may be annexed to a City. In nearly all circumstances, property owners
(not City or County officials) determine when annexation may occur.
On October 30, 2009, the City submitted an application to amend the Snohomish County
Comprehensive Plan and expand the City’s UGA. The additional UGA area would match the
boundary of the City’s North Planning Area—as established in February 2009
(Resolution 1224). The County’s 2009-10 amendment process is known as “Docket XV”.
The County Council will finalize the list of Docketed items in Summer 2010, and will
take final action on those applications after environmental analysis is complete and
public hearings have been held.
Previously, the Snohomish County Council included a request to expand Snohomish’s UGA
as part of the County’s Docket XII. Later, the County Council removed the application
from the Docket prior to completion of the regular amendment process. Instead, the
County asked the Cities of Snohomish and Lake Stevens to participate in mediated
discussions to resolve the boundary disagreement. A professional mediator was hired
and various studies were completed and numerous meetings were held. Mediation ended
on January 30, 2009 when Lake Stevens declined to accept any scenario that would allow
the City of Snohomish to grow to the north and across US-2. Without the prospect of a
successfully-mediated agreement with Lake Stevens, the City of Snohomish is again seeking
expansion of its UGA boundary through the County’s regular Docket process.
The City of Snohomish wants to ensure that all interested stakeholders have reliable,
factual information about urban boundaries, land use planning, and annexation.
Information on Snohomish County's Docket XV can be found at:
http://www1.co.snohomish.wa.us/Departments/
PDS/Divisions/LR_Planning/Projects_Programs/Docket/Docket15.htm
Of course, you can also contact the City of Snohomish by telephone, mail, or email.
Comments and questions may be sent to:
Corbitt Loch, Planning Director
116 Union Avenue
Snohomish, WA 98290
(360) 568-3115
loch@ci.snohomish.wa.us