A map of where the proposed townhome project (marked in yellow) would be placed across nearly 17 acres of open space ex-farmland on 9321 and 9509 Paradise Lake Road.
MALTBY — A contested development along Paradise Lake Road that would add more than 400 residents now has the green light, but the approval stipulates that key road improvements to state Route 522 and nearby streets must happen.
The county hearing examiner last week approved the Snohomish Garden Townhomes plan for 196 townhomes across almost 17 acres of ex-farmland.
The approval obligates developer Lennar Northwest to construct the following stoplights and highway improvements:
• On 522, add a separated northbound right turn lane for traffic turning to eastbound Paradise Lake Road.
• On Paradise Lake Road, add a second westbound left turn lane to turn onto 522.
• Construct a stoplight at Bostian Road 350 feet east of the 522-Paradise Lake Road intersection. Eastbound drivers would only have a through lane at this stoplight.
• On Paradise Lake Road, add left turn lanes into the townhouse development and flashing pedestrian crossings near Hidden River Middle School.
The project will increase traffic delays at the highway intersection by up to three seconds.
Hearing Examiner Peter Camp wrote that the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) was OK with these traffic mitigation measures involving 522. Opponents argued the townhouse project should be postponed until WSDOT completes a plan years away to revise the congested stoplight intersection into a separated highway interchange with on- and off-ramps.
Lennar is opting to pay a $36,309 fee to the county to compensate for the additional traffic its project will add. On top, it’s paying $918,534.90 in county traffic impact fees.
Stormwater drainage would be collected and run to on-site water detention facilities that meet county standards.
The 196-townhome site will include 757 parking spaces.
Any appeal of the decision to the County Council is due Tuesday, March 7.
Project information is available at www.snohomishcountywa.gov/6198/
