Snohomish County Council narrows examiner’s requirements for Stillwater Preserve, requires on-site bus stop space

Snohomish County Council members on May 29 directed staff to prepare a written motion that would affirm the hearing examiner’s March 24 decision in part and modify it to replace a condition requiring a lengthy off-site pedestrian path with a condition requiring space for a school bus stop and turnaround associated with the construction of New Public Road 52nd Street Southeast.

Council staff Deb Bell told the council that Planning and Development Services staff and Public Works “have independently determined that it is feasible to construct a school bus stop and any necessary turnaround on New Public Road 52nd Street Southeast or alternatively on 211th Street Southeast at the intersection of 52nd Street Southeast.” Bell said the applicant provided a preliminary sketch and that the written responses were added to the record for the closed-record appeal of Stillwater Preserve LLC (file no. 25-101010PSD), a proposed 14-lot rural-cluster subdivision south of Dubuque Road.

A council member moved to direct staff to prepare a written motion finding the hearing examiner erred in requiring the applicant to construct about 2,700 feet of off-site pedestrian path to the existing school bus stop, and to instead amend condition 44 to require one or more new conditions that provide adequate space for a school bus stop and bus turnaround in connection with construction of the new public road, 52nd Street Southeast. The motion was seconded and brought to a vote.

Council member Peterson said he had not attended oral argument on May 26 and had not been present for the prior executive session; he announced he would abstain from the vote. The presiding official called the question; the motion passed by a 4–0 vote with one abstention. Council staff will draft the written motion and findings for formal adoption; under the county’s schedule the written decision must be issued by June 6.

The action modifies the conditions tied to approval of Stillwater Preserve’s preliminary subdivision and clarifies the county’s expectations for where a school bus stop and turnaround should be accommodated. The council recessed until a 10:30 a.m. public hearing on another quasi-judicial matter.