Three Lakes

A blog for members and friends of Three Lakes Neighbors for Responsible Growth, dedicated to monitoring and maintaining the rural environment of central Snohomish County, Washington

Friday, April 29, 2005

HeraldNet: County growth plan ready

HeraldNet: County growth plan ready: (Published April 19, 2005)
"EVERETT - Snohomish County Executive Aaron Reardon says the county's just-released plan for handling growth over the next 20 years is a notable departure from the county's previous growth-management plan.

'We've seen tremendous sprawl. We've seen unplanned, unmanaged growth,' Reardon said. 'We've seen growth that's turned into blight. We've seen schools become overcrowded.

'Our plan changes the direction of this county,' he said.

With growth comes challenges.
[Snip . . .]
Almost 300,000 more people are expected to live here by the year 2025, pushing the population from about 645,000 today to 930,000. The county's plan directs much of the growth to existing cities and their urban growth areas.

'We're going to grow. It's how you grow that makes a difference,' Reardon said.

Many components of the growth plan are also expected to attract interest.
[Snip . . .]

Kristin Kelly, the local spokeswoman for Futurewise, a controlled-growth group, said county policies that preserve the natural environment have been weakened.

"It is disappointing to see the policy language weakened at a time when we need stronger protections of our environment," Kelly said.

Watch for another Blog post about the upcoming hearings in Monroe on May 2.

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