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:
Owen Dennison, Planning Manager
116 Union Avenue
Snohomish, WA 98290
(360) 568-3115
dennison@ci.snohomish.wa.us