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North Shore School District projects 7% enrollment growth over six years; multifamily student generation rate rises
Summary
District consultants told the council the 2025 capital facilities plan projects about 7% enrollment growth over six years and higher student generation rates from multifamily units, driving increases in proposed multifamily impact fees; exemptions exist for low‑ and moderate‑income units under local code.
Pacifica Law Group counsel Denise DeFarm and North Shore School District staff presented the district’s 2025 capital facilities plan at the Oct. 21 study session.
DeFarm said the district uses an outside demographer and projects about 7% enrollment growth over the next six years across grade levels. The district inventory includes 20 elementary, 6 middle and 4 choice schools; portables remain in use but the district has been systematically replacing them through recent bond projects.
The plan ties capital projects and the 2022 bond work to the district’s impact fee analysis. DeFarm explained that school impact fees apply only to new residential units and are calculated from student‑generation rates and per‑student costs; by law the fees cannot be used to remedy existing deficiencies and cannot be the sole funding source.
District presenters noted the multifamily student‑generation rate has doubled in the last year, which is driving a significant increase in the proposed multifamily impact fee. Counsel said Snohomish County’s fee schedule was not updated in the same cycle, which explains some observed differences across jurisdictions.
Council members asked about exemptions for affordable units; staff confirmed the city code provides exemptions for low‑ and moderate‑income units meeting defined criteria. Staff also said they will return to the council Nov. 4 with an ordinance addressing school impact fees.
