No mini-cities in Snohomish County
Published on Fri, Nov 7, 2008 by By Beckye RandallRead More Local News
The Snohomish County Council voted in favor of a six-month moratorium on fully-contained communities (FCCs) in rural areas at a meeting held October 29 in Everett.
The unanimous decision will allow the council time to review current regulations, ensuring codes for the mini-cities provide "adequate protections for our local communities and taxpayers," said council chair Dave Somers.
Members of 7-Lakes, a citizens group opposing FCCs, were in attendance for the hearing, and were relieved but not overjoyed.
"Six months is barely enough time," said 7-Lakes organizer Ellen Hiatt Watson. "But maybe the moratorium will give rural property owners an opportunity to talk about what [growth] we do want, not just what we don't want."
Developer Dave Barnett has formally proposed creating an FCC development of up to 6,000 homes in the Lake Roesiger area east of Snohomish. Falcon Ridge would encompass about 3,000 acres and include a golf course and office spaces.
The McNaughton Group is considering a similar project on property the company owns in the Lake Goodwin area, north of Lakewood Road.
The development company has already applied for permits to build 13 rural clusters in the 7 Lakes area, with 640 new homes. Rural clusters, as adopted by the county's growth management codes, allow for bonus density on rural lots in exchange for open space in surrounding areas. Two of the development projects have gained preliminary approval.
The McNaughton Group and its partner, Granite Land Company, own approximately 3.5 square miles of land-about 2,000 acres--in the 7 Lakes area of north Snohomish County.
Councilmember John Koster, who previously voted against a moratorium, said he was "happy" to support the 6-month period to allow "adequate time for discussion."
The approved version of the ordinance reduced the moratorium period from 14 months to six and included requirements for input from both sides of the debate.
The unanimous decision will allow the council time to review current regulations, ensuring codes for the mini-cities provide "adequate protections for our local communities and taxpayers," said council chair Dave Somers.
Members of 7-Lakes, a citizens group opposing FCCs, were in attendance for the hearing, and were relieved but not overjoyed.
"Six months is barely enough time," said 7-Lakes organizer Ellen Hiatt Watson. "But maybe the moratorium will give rural property owners an opportunity to talk about what [growth] we do want, not just what we don't want."
Developer Dave Barnett has formally proposed creating an FCC development of up to 6,000 homes in the Lake Roesiger area east of Snohomish. Falcon Ridge would encompass about 3,000 acres and include a golf course and office spaces.
The McNaughton Group is considering a similar project on property the company owns in the Lake Goodwin area, north of Lakewood Road.
The development company has already applied for permits to build 13 rural clusters in the 7 Lakes area, with 640 new homes. Rural clusters, as adopted by the county's growth management codes, allow for bonus density on rural lots in exchange for open space in surrounding areas. Two of the development projects have gained preliminary approval.
The McNaughton Group and its partner, Granite Land Company, own approximately 3.5 square miles of land-about 2,000 acres--in the 7 Lakes area of north Snohomish County.
Councilmember John Koster, who previously voted against a moratorium, said he was "happy" to support the 6-month period to allow "adequate time for discussion."
The approved version of the ordinance reduced the moratorium period from 14 months to six and included requirements for input from both sides of the debate.
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