City council say No to noise ordinance change; sets land annexation meeting dates

Noise Ordinance Amendment

On Monday, July 11, 2017 the Snoqualmie City Council said no to amending the city’s noise ordinance, which would’ve extended the hours of weekend, summer outdoor concerts to 11PM.

The city held a public hearing about the amendment prior to starting the council’s regular meeting Monday night. Some downtown residents opposed the amendment, feeling 10PM is late enough for loud outdoor concerts.

The ordinance amendment was voted down unanimously 6-0. Council member Heather Munden was absent.

Land Annexation Process Calendar for Proposed Active Adult Community

In the same meeting the council also set the future meeting dates that are legally required for the Notice of Intent to Annex that was filed by Snoqualmie Heights Partners, LLC  in late June.  The group is proposing a 250 acre land annexation in the city’s Snoqualmie Hills West urban growth area between downtown Snoqualmie and Snoqualmie Ridge.

Snoqualmie Heights Partners wants to develop a phased, 800 home, age-restricted active adult community (55+) on 220 of the acres. Those homes are proposed to be built in phases from 2021-2030.

Development of the  remaining acreage is proposed to be determined with city input based on community needs. Some ideas proposed during prior meetings include an assisted living facility, affordable housing and apartments over retail.

Snoqualmie Heights Partners recently launched a website offering details on their proposed development and the annexation process. That website can be found at www.snoheightsaac.com

Per state law, the city has 60 days from the filing date of the Notice of Intent to Annex to meet with the initiating parties, giving the city until August 22nd. At the July 11th meeting the council set the calendar to meet those legal requirements.

On July 24th, Snoqualmie Heights Partners will make a formal presentation to the council with development details. On July 31st there will be a special meeting dedicated to public comment and response from the developer and city staff. Council will then vote on the Notice of Intent to Annex on August 14th.

Annexation Process

Per state law, the city council will decide three things:  1) whether the city will accept, reject or geographically modify the proposed annexation; 2) whether to require the simultaneous adoption of a proposed zoning regulation (if such proposal was prepared and filed); 3) whether to require the assumption of all or of any portion of existing city indebtedness by the area to be annexed.

In order for the annexation to proceed further, the city council must accept the Notice of Intent to Annex. If they reject it, the process is over. There is no appeal or annexation.

If the council accepts notice, that would be the first of many steps required for the annexation to occur.  NOTE: Acceptance of the notice does NOT approve the annexation. It only authorizes the next step where the initiating parties can circulate a petition for annexation. In order for that to be approved, the petition must include signatures of owners of 60% or more of the assessed value of the proposed annexation property.

The 60% Petition is then subject to a public hearing before the city council after which the council can still deny the annexation. If they approve it, though, it must be done through a city ordinance.

Snoqualmie Heights Partners has previously stated that they were confident they would ultimately exceed the 60% threshold needed to advance the annexation further.

 

Snoqualmie Hills conceptual site map. Not all of possible annexation land is build-able. Acres in green a wetland/open space/critical areas. Conceptual options for roads are in gray.

 

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