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Bothell City Council Meeting - July 21, 2026
Published: Jul 21, 2026
City Council Reviews Proposed Updates to Development Review Procedures
The City Council discussed proposed amendments to the Bothel Municipal Code titles 11, 12, and 14, focusing on procedural regulations for development review. The amendments aim to improve clarity, consistency, simplify procedures, remove outdated provisions, and align with current practices and state law. Key changes include refining the project permit framework, standardizing public hearing processes to align with state law requiring only one public hearing (primarily at the Planning Commission level, with City Council retaining decision-making power), reducing applicant response time to correction requests from 180 to 90 days with provisions for extensions, consolidating administrative appeal procedures, standardizing amendment processes to include Planning Commission review, updating public notice requirements, and adjusting multifamily density phasing requirements. A significant policy change involves moving site-specific rezones from a Type 5 to a Type 4A process, assigning them to the Hearing Examiner for review instead of Planning Commission, due to their quasi-judicial nature, while area-wide rezones remain legislative. The council engaged in a lengthy discussion, particularly regarding the public hearing process, the 90-day response time, and the implications of delegating site-specific rezone reviews to the Hearing Examiner. Council members expressed preferences for earlier public engagement and retaining council's direct interaction with the public on legislative matters. Staff will incorporate feedback and return with refined proposals.
Council Approves Construction Contract for Sammamish River and Wayne Creek Restoration Project
The City Council approved a construction contract with Northwest Construction for the Sammamish River and Wayne Creek Restoration Project. This project, identified as a strategic priority for environmental stewardship, aims to improve the health of Wayneeta Creek and the Sammamish River, creating a better environment for salmon survival. The project involves channel excavation, in-water work, bridge installations, and final planting, with construction scheduled to begin in September of the current year and completion in spring 2028. The project is funded by multiple awards and funding sources totaling $7.9 million, including grants from the Washington Department of Ecology, corporate sponsors, King County levees, and City of Bothel Surface Water Utility Funds. The design includes restoring natural stream and wetland functions, shifting the stream mouth, increasing aquatic habitat, and improving water quality through specialized cleaning zones. Council members expressed strong support, commending the project's environmental benefits and the team's success in securing diverse funding.
Bothel Council Advances Regional Fire Authority Annexation to Voter Ballot
The City Council is moving forward with a resolution to place a ballot measure before voters on November 3rd, 2026, regarding the annexation of the Bothel Fire Department into the Shoreline Fire Department Regional Fire Authority (RFA). This move is driven by increasing call volumes, complexity of services, and the desire for operational and financial efficiencies, as well as improved service delivery. The RFA plan, adopted by the RFA board, includes provisions for a nine-member board (three from Shoreline, three from Northshore, three from Bothel), an effective annexation date of March 1st, 2027, and the RFA beginning property tax collection on January 1st, 2028, with a committed levy rate of 45 cents per $1,000 assessed value plus a fire benefit charge. Bothel will retain responsibility for legacy retirement costs and will not transfer reserve funds. Transfer of assets includes fire stations (titles deferred until 2040) and apparatus, with contributions for asset replacement. The council voted 7-0 to adopt the resolution, authorizing the ballot measure for voter consideration. The process also involved appointing members to ProCon committees to prepare statements for the voter pamphlet.
City Council Discusses Revisions to Multifamily Tax Exemption Program to Spur Housing Development
The City Council conducted a study session on proposed amendments to the multifamily tax exemption (MFTE) code, adopted in 2021 but unused to date. Staff presented conceptual changes based on feedback from developers and neighboring jurisdictions, aiming to make the program more attractive and effective. Key proposed changes include standardizing the affordable unit requirement to 20% of the total units, setting the Area Median Income (AMI) target at 70%, eliminating parking requirements for MFTE units, and extending the tax exemption period from 8 or 12 years to a 20-year term with an option for extension, aligning with state law requirements. Council members discussed the 'life of the project' affordability definition, debated the 70% vs. 80% AMI target, and expressed a desire to encourage family-sized units and explore ownership options. Concerns were raised about exceeding state mandates and the fiscal impact, while also acknowledging the need for the program to incentivize project feasibility and housing development. Staff will return with revised options based on council feedback, considering data from other jurisdictions and balancing incentives with affordability goals.
City Council Sets Public Hearing for Northeast 185th Street Vacation
The City Council considered a resolution to set a public hearing date for the vacation of Northeast 185th Street between 108th Avenue Northeast and 110th Avenue Northeast. This proposed vacation is consistent with the 2017 campus master plan for UW Bothel and Cascadia College, aiming to create a more walkable connection between the campus and downtown Bothel. The process involves setting a public hearing date, potentially combining it with a decision date for efficiency, and ultimately recording the street vacation with King County. The council approved setting the public hearing for September 8th, 2026. Legal counsel clarified that the September 8th hearing would be quasi-judicial, with a potential decision on October 20th, though this date is in flux and could be combined with the hearing date or continued. The council ultimately voted 7-0 to approve the resolution establishing the public hearing date.
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The Bothell News archive
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