Petition to Oppose Ordinance 25-044 and the Expansion of the Maltby Urban Growth Area

To: Snohomish County Planning Commission From: Concerned Residents of Maltby and Surrounding Communities Subject: Opposition to Ordinance 25-044 and the Proposed Expansion of the Urban Growth Area (UGA)

We, the undersigned residents of Snohomish County, respectfully petition the Planning Commission to reject Ordinance 25-044 and halt the proposed expansion of the Maltby Urban Growth Area (UGA). This expansion threatens our environment, infrastructure, and community integrity.

🚫 Environmental and Infrastructure Concerns

On December 12, 2024, County Executive Dave Somers vetoed Ordinance 24-101, citing that the expansion was:

• Unnecessary for projected growth through 2044
• In conflict with the Growth Management Act and regional planning policies
•  Environmentally damaging, particularly to the headwaters of Little Bear Creek
• Incompatible with existing infrastructure, including roads already designated at ultimate capacity

 

The Snohomish-Woodinville Road/240th AVE SE, has been at ultimate capacity since 1997. This intersection in front of Costco is already at gridlock.

Additionally, 75th Ave SE lacks sidewalks, making it unsafe for pedestrians—especially children walking to and from school or bus stops. The proposed expansion would increase traffic on this already hazardous stretch, yet the area remains underserved by basic urban infrastructure. Maintaining a lower level of service while increasing density will only worsen congestion and elevate safety risks.

Ryan Countryman asserts that reclassifying 240th Ave SE from rural to urban will enhance student safety by adding sidewalks. However, this area is not walkable, and an urban designation does not guarantee meaningful safety improvements. The proposed change would cost $12 million—placing further strain on a county already grappling with budget shortfalls and increased property taxes. As Futurewise warns, “Keeping the lower LOS (level of service) will just allow more development in remote rural and agricultural and forest land locations, making traffic even worse.”

💸 Financial Burden on Taxpayers

The Northshore School District (NSD), facing a $26 million budget shortfall, stands to benefit financially from land sales enabled by UGA expansion. However, the cost of infrastructure upgrades—sidewalks, urban road standards, sewer connections—will fall on taxpayers, not developers. This raises serious concerns about fiscal responsibility, transparency and our unreasonable property taxes.

🏭 Industrial Expansion Near Sensitive Ecosystems

JEV Recycling’s request to add over 11 acres to the UGA for expanded concrete and asphalt processing directly contradicts claims of environmental stewardship. How can sewer connections be touted as safeguards for Little Bear Creek while industrial expansion is dismissed as harmless? The inconsistency is alarming.

🚗 Compounding Traffic from Additional Development

A proposed private school near 224th St SE plans to accommodate over 500 students, with full-day childcare and extensive facilities. This will further strain local roads already overwhelmed by truck traffic, speeding vehicles, and frequent accidents—including commercial vehicle rollovers on 240th St hill.

🏡 Community Identity and Representation

This unincorporated area is a rural, close-knit neighborhood. We chose this lifestyle and trusted our elected officials to preserve it. Yet, decisions are being made by council members who do not live here and do not experience the daily impacts. The push to expand the UGA feels disconnected from community needs and overly influenced by political and financial interests—including campaign contributions tied to District 5 Council Member Sam Low and the Vangemert family.

✍️ Our Request

We urge the Planning Commission to:

1. Oppose Ordinance 25-044 and urge the Snohomish County Council to reject it—along with any related proposals to expand the Maltby Urban Growth Area (UGA). Prioritize environmental protection, infrastructure integrity, and community input.

2. Conduct transparent, community-centered planning that reflects the lived realities of residents—not just the interests of developers and donors.

We stand united in defense of our neighborhood, our environment, and our right to be heard.