Snohomish Garden Townhomes
Project Description
The Snohomish Garden Townhomes project is a 196-unit lot townhome subdivision development on 16.91 acres. The site consists of three tax parcels.
Process Overview
The project site is zoned Planned Community Business (PCB), which allows townhomes as a permitted use. The applicant has applied for a Urban Residential Design Standards (URDS) Site Plan Approval in addition to a Unit Lot Subdivision in order to develop the site with the townhomes on individual lots. The applicant has agreed to consolidate these permits and have them processed in a Type 2 permit process which requires a public hearing and decision by the Hearing Examiner. To find more information about this process, see Chapter 30.72 of Snohomish County Code.
If or when the project is granted preliminary approval, then a Land Disturbing Activity (LDA) Permit would be obtained to grade the site and install infrastructure including roads, sidewalks, sewer, water, drainage facilities and other utilities. The applicant would then apply for a Final Plat Approval for the unit lot subdivision and obtain building permits for the townhome structures.
Environmental Review
The proposed development is meeting the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) exemption for new construction and infill development in subsections SCC 30.61.035 (2) & (3). The applicant has acknowledged that payment of traffic impact fees as required by interlocal agreements under SCC 30.66B.177. SCC 30.66B.710 and SCC30.66b.720, which would still be required as a condition of approval under SCC 30.61.230(6) despite the project itself being deemed exempt from SEPA requirements. The applicant has further agreed to the on and off-site traffic mitigation contained in the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) that was prepared for the previous proposal on this site, Paradise Lake Road Garden Apartments.
Where we are in the process
- The application was received by PDS October 13, 2022
- Notice of application (Corrected) was provided on November 9, 2022, and a public comment period ends on November 30, 2022.
- The application is under review with PDS’ technical reviewers for compliance with:
- Land use, zoning bulk regulations, parking, landscaping, etc.
- Critical areas (wetlands, streams, etc.)
- Drainage and Stormwater
- Traffic Impacts, road (frontage) improvements
- Fire code
Next steps (Please note: Specific dates/times for these expected steps depend on the project applicant and other factors):
- Planning and Development Services (PDS) conducts its first review of the application. At the conclusion of review, PDS will send a request for information/corrections back to the applicant. This typically includes any corrections needed in order to comply with applicable regulations. It may also include a request for the applicant to provide responses to comments received from residents and agencies.
- The applicant re-submits the application with information and materials requested by PDS as described above. It is not uncommon for applicants to go through 2-3 rounds of review prior to being scheduled for a public hearing.
- Public Hearing. The Snohomish County Hearing Examiner will hold a public hearing for the consolidated project. Any person may provide oral comments during the hearing. Written comment is also accepted during the review process before the hearing and during the hearing.
- Decision Issued. The Hearing Examiner will ultimately issue a decision for the proposed consolidated project. The decision is sent to all parties of record and is appealable to the county council.
Additional Information
Hearing Examiner
Learn about the Hearing Examiner and the public hearing process using the links below:
- Snohomish County Hearing Examiner website
- A Guide to Hearings Before the Examiner
- Rules of Procedure. (MS Word)
- Snohomish County Code - Office of Hearings Administration