MONROE — The Monroe fire district is planning to annex a 26-acre parcel north of the city.
The property owner, Monroe Land Investments, made the request in anticipation of developing a future subdivision off of Robinhood Lane, north of the airport.
Approximately 190 houses are planned on the parcel and an adjoining 53-acre parcel.
The application for the subdivision is pending before the county, said John Bissell, principal planner with LSA Engineering, the Lynnwood-based firm that represents Monroe Land Investments.
The rest of the project already lies within the boundaries of the fire district. So does Robinhood Lane, the road that provides access to the proposed development and the surrounding area, Fire Chief Jamie Silva said.
“It just makes sense that it will be us,” Silva said.
Smaller annexations are fairly common as rural areas become developed, the chief said. His district has collected a few pieces of former no-man’s-land, particularly along Highway 203 and areas south of the city such as High Bridge Road and High Rock Road.
After annexation, property owners pay taxes for fire protection and emergency medical services. If people live outside a fire district, they will be billed for the response, Silva said. Those calls most often involve medical emergencies rather than flames. Being outside of any fire district also increases home insurance costs, he said.
The owner of the 26-acre parcel organized the petition for annexation, the chief said. The fire commissioners voted to accept the petition on May 11. The chief forwarded the materials earlier this week to the county auditor for review.
The fire district plans a public hearing on the matter at 7 p.m. Tuesday at headquarters, 163 Village Court, Monroe. Eventually the annexation will go before the Boundary Review Board.
Rikki King: 425-339-3449; rking@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.