Kagi, Ryu Co-Sponsor Bill to Limit Density or Mitigate Effects of Point Wells development

OLYMPIA --State Reps. Ruth Kagi, D-Lake Forest Park, and Cindy Ryu, D-Shoreline, introduced a bill Tuesday that would limit density in the proposed Point Wells development or at least mitigate its effects on neighboring Shoreline and Woodway.

House Bill 1265 would limit the residential density of Point Wells, which is located in unincorporated Snohomish County, so that it does not exceed the density of the adjacent cities. It provides for an exception, however, if the county enters into an interlocal agreement with the adjacent cities that addresses mitigation for the impact on transportation and parks, and that outlines how government services will be provided.

 Re-zoned for urban-center land use by Snohomish County in August 2009, Point Wells currently is an industrial site that serves as a asphalt plant and marine fuel facility. Developer Blue Square Real Estate hopes to transform Point Wells into a mixed-use development with up to 3,500 housing units.

Access to Point Wells, however, is limited to just one two-lane road, NW Richmond Beach Road and Richmond Beach Drive, that winds through Shoreline in King County. Many nearby residents, particularly those in the adjacent Richmond Beach neighborhood, are concerned that the scale of the development is too large and will adversely affect traffic and safety along the road.

 “Funneling 3,000 new families through a small two-lane road presents many challenges. We can’t risk having an infrastructure that’s inadequate to support the whole community’s needs,” Kagi said. “This bill encourages cooperative development planning among local governments so that the scale of new development harmonizes with existing communities.”

 The 32nd District legislators are hopeful the legislation will encourage a cooperative local agreement that works well for the citizens, developers and local governments.