Bothell council opposes Snohomish County UGA expansion, forms subcommittee to press city objections

Bothell — Snohomish County planning staff briefed the Bothell City Council on July 15 about a 378-acre expansion to the county’s Southwest urban growth area adopted in December 2024 and effective April 2025, and asked whether the city would support adding the area to Bothell’s municipal urban growth area (MUGA). The county estimates the expansion provides capacity for about 821 housing units; the area sits northeast of Bothell near State Route 524 (Mulpey Road) and 40th Avenue Southeast and includes Ruby Bridges Elementary School.

Why it matters: The city’s elected leaders said the expansion would encourage lower-density sprawl on lands they want preserved or served by better transit and infrastructure. Multiple council members said the county adopted the expansion after Bothell staff and council had opposed it and that Bothell should press the county to reconsider or negotiate before the city accepts the area in its MUGA.

County planner Frank Slusser outlined the county process, the planning rationale for including the area in Bothell’s MUGA and next steps that could include Snohomish County Tomorrow and county council action by year end. Slusser said the county retooled zoning and future land‑use designations across the Southwest UGA to meet housing targets and that the UGA expansion was adopted after the county concluded there was insufficient unincorporated capacity for moderate‑income housing.

Council members disputed the planning outcome. “I have really deep concerns about this expansion, and I don't support our city putting it in a MUGA,” Council member Dodd said, citing long delays in bringing urban services to previously annexed areas. Council member McCurdy called the decision “frankly outrageous,” arguing the expansion consumes rural lands that the council would prefer to protect and that other cities should take responsibility for higher‑density growth along transit corridors.

Council discussion identified specific points the city wants clarified or pursued: whether the county considered adjusting adjacent MUGA lines (for example, with Mill Creek) to direct new capacity to transit‑served corridors; transit service and road capacity in the expanded area; timing and costs to provide sewer and other urban services; and school capacity and impacts to Northshore School District facilities.

Direction and next steps: Council members agreed, by consensus, to form a three‑member subcommittee to draft a letter to Snohomish County expressing Bothell’s concerns and to authorize that committee to send a letter before the council reconvenes in September. The council identified the subcommittee as Council member Romenke, Council member Kurt, and Council member Dodd; staff will schedule the subcommittee meeting and prepare background material. City staff also said they would continue one‑on‑one coordination with county staff and encouraged possible future joint meetings with Mill Creek or the Snohomish County Council.

Background: Slusser told the council the county’s 2024 comprehensive plan update moved nearly 2,300 acres of single‑family neighborhoods to an urban medium density residential designation in portions of the Southwest UGA and adopted a 378‑acre UGA expansion northeast of Bothell to address a countywide capacity shortfall. Slusser said there were no appeals filed during the 60‑day appeal period following the county council’s December 2024 action.

What the city will do next: Staff will provide the subcommittee with briefing materials, and the subcommittee is expected to draft a letter and meet with county staff as needed. The county indicated the UGA expansion will remain in effect until a jurisdiction claims it for a MUGA or other reconciliation steps occur in the countywide growth target process.