OLYMPIA – Snohomish County won’t be getting the state’s help this year in creating a rural village of 1,600 homes near Lake Goodwin.
That’s because legislation allowing the county to pursue the development as a demonstration project has been dropped by its sponsors.
Right now the joint venture of the McNaughton Group of Edmonds and Granite Land Co. of California can build 600 homes on large lots in an area known as Seven Lakes.
McNaughton has drawn up a plan for building between 650 and 1,600 homes on small lots and clustered into three high-density “villages.” To get the maximum number of units, the firm must buy development rights from owners of other rural land in the county.
The state Growth Management Act doesn’t allow such developments and bills introduced in the House and Senate provided needed waivers to let the county proceed.
Residents of the area and their state representatives strongly opposed the effort.
Rep. Hans Dunshee, D-Snohomish, sponsor of the House bill, acknowledged the opposition in deciding not to push for the legislation this year.
“I think it’s good policy but Senator (Mary Margaret) Haugen said she hated it and I’ll defer to her since it is in her district,” he said. “It is good stuff. I think we need keep working on the subject.”
Snohomish County Councilman Dave Somers said last week he’s begun looking at other options to keep the idea alive.
“I think we have some outreach work to do with the citizens around the county,” he said. “I’m not going to let the concept die.”
Jerry Cornfield: 360-352-8623; jcornfield@heraldnet.com.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
