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The Wolff Company is now going back to the city to ask for a "major amendment" to the land and took the initial steps in doing so by having a preliminary meeting with the city. There has been no change to the proposed apartment complex. The City requested the Wolff Co. to hold a community meeting last month and also hired Reid Shockey, a planning consultant from Everett, to oversee the process as a second set of eyes and to make sure it is done properly.

 

The community meeting was similar to the first one held back on October 6, 2010. Over 70 homeowners filled the council chambers and voiced strong opposition to the Wolff Co.’s proposal. They also told Deputy Manager Bill King that they had lost faith in the city government over the handling of this development.

 

Mr. King told homeowners that the process was to have the Wolff Co. apply for the major amendment, then have a scheduled Planning Commission meeting in an open public forum. The Planning Commission would then give a recommendation to the City Council. At that time, the city would make a final decision on the apartment complex. The Wolff Co. told the homeowners that they planned to appeal the court's ruling and did file that appeal with the Washington State Court of Appeals on March 31st. They also filed a motion for an accelerated review of the case. Mr. King told the homeowners that currently, he did not think the city would file an appeal. Homeowners were all very disappointed that no one from the City Council attended the open house community meeting.

 

Applewood Estates HOA continues to represent the homeowners regarding this issue. We continue to remind the city that the PUD was changed from an age restricted senior living community and luxury ranch style condominiums to higher density, younger population apartments for marketing reasons. With that change, homeowner’s concerns are: 

 

• An overall area change to high density

• Increase in vehicle traffic

• Increase in the crime rate

• Increase in homeowner insurance premiums

• Impact on area schools

• Decrease need for apartments in the future

• Busing children out of their neighbor schools

• Decrease in property values

• Lack of supporting infrastructure

• Leaving another 15 acres non-marketable

• A new height of the buildings (3-Story)

• Changing the overall character of the area

 

The original plan approved by the City Council back in 2005 was one that homeowners based their decisions on when purchasing their home in this area. To continue the strong home values and desired livability, the HOAs and homeowners would like to see the Wolff Co simply keep the original plan in place with age restricted senior living community or go back to medium density residential.

 

The City has indicated that they anticipate the open record public hearing by the Planning Commission will be held sometime in June or July, at the same time the Wolff Company is asking the courts for an accelerated review of the appeal case.

 

Click the below links to read the appeal documents filed by Wolff.