Mill Creek weighs regional growth‑center designations at Ash Way and Mariner as light rail planning advances

Mill Creek officials heard a presentation June 3 on Snohomish County—s application to the Puget Sound Regional Council (PSRC) to designate the Ash Way and Mariner station areas as regional growth centers tied to future light rail service.

The briefing, given by city staff member Richard Todd, explained that PSRC—s regional center designations are used to prioritize federal transportation funding and that the proposed designations align with Snohomish County—s new "light rail communities" planning around stations. "The goal for tonight—s presentation [is] no expectation of action tonight, but this is gonna be something you—ll be dealing with in the future," Todd said.

The presentation said county planning proposes a roughly 96% increase in units per acre for the Mariner area (about a doubling of current density) and about a 250% increase around Ash Way. Todd said light rail could arrive in the area as early as 2037, possibly as late as 2041, and that designations would help the region compete for federal transportation dollars administered through PSRC.

Why it matters: PSRC—s Vision 2050 framework and its regional center list are factors used to rank projects for limited federal funding. City leaders said a regional center designation would strengthen Mill Creek—s ability to obtain funds for road and intersection improvements that would serve residents and future development. "If we chose to annex, you would have a better seat at the table with the Sound Transit discussions because it would be your city as opposed to just your MUGA," Todd told the council, referring to the city—s municipal urban growth area (MUGA).

Council members asked how the designations would affect Mill Creek—s ability to shape growth. Mayor Pro Tem Daniell, who attended a recent steering committee briefing, said the city needs to "sell" the benefits of designation to other jurisdictions and get allies to support the application. Council members discussed outreach to neighboring cities (Lynnwood, Everett, and uncommitted Linwood) and the political competition for PSRC slots.

Next steps outlined in the presentation: a planning steering committee vote June 25 to advance the proposal, a county council briefing in August, and PSRC applications due in September. Staff said the likely implementing instrument with neighboring cities would be a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that would not itself commit any city to annexation. Todd said Snohomish County has prepared much of the background analysis and that Mill Creek—s role would primarily be memorandum support and coordination.

What was not decided: the council did not take formal action June 3. Staff said the city would return with additional information and that director-level staff (including Director Ryan) would present the item again before any MOU or formal endorsement.

Background: PSRC—s regional center designations were created through its Vision 2050 process and guide allocation of federal transportation funds across the Puget Sound region. Local officials said designations can improve a community—s competitiveness for grants to pay for intersection work and other capital improvements; they also acknowledged potential political pushback from jurisdictions that might lose priority in funding competitions.

Taper: The council discussed possible outreach steps and timing; staff encouraged council members to consider strategy before the June 25 steering committee meeting so Mill Creek could be ready to support the county—s application process.