Complaints dismissed on Bothell growth guidelines

By Young Chang
Seattle Times Eastside bureau

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A regional Growth Management Hearings Board last week dismissed a petition filed by Bothell builders and resident groups claiming the city has not been following the state's Growth Management Act (GMA) guidelines.

Specifically, the complaints related to Bothell's use of space, including an allegation that the city has not met urban-density requirements. Single-family residential zones should hold at least four dwelling units per acre, according to the hearings board.

The Bothell Planning Commission determined last summer that the city had not met that requirement for about eight years.

Originally, two petitions were filed about five months ago by four groups: the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, an environmental land-use organization named Friends for Environmentally Advanced Residential Neighborhoods, a Bothell resident and business group called the Bothell Owners for Responsible Growth Regulation, and a holding company for property called MTB Associates.

At the request of the Growth Management Hearings Board, the two petitions were merged into one in March.

Though the petition was dismissed, the hearings board has outlined how Bothell must update its comprehensive plan by Dec. 1. Michael Weight, Bothell's city attorney, said the city will focus on meeting the growth-management guidelines.

Allison Butcher, public-affairs manager for the Master Builders Association of King and Snohomish Counties, said the board's decision sends a clear message to Bothell about complying with the Growth Management Act.

"While the case was dismissed, we're pleased the board found that our concerns with Bothell being out of GMA are credible," she said.

Young Chang: 206-748-5815 or ychang@seattletimes.com

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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