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Bothell council approves shoreline master program edits, downtown parcel purchase and adopts Vision 2040
Summary
At its May 5 meeting the Bothell City Council unanimously approved Department of Ecology amendments to the Shoreline Master Program, authorized purchase of a downtown property for $1.5 million, and adopted an updated Vision 2040 with new three‑year priorities.
The Bothell City Council on May 5 unanimously approved a package of routine and substantive items, including acceptance of Department of Ecology edits to the city’s Shoreline Master Program, authorization to purchase a vacant downtown parcel for $1.5 million, and formal adoption of an updated Vision 2040 and three‑year strategic priorities.
Shoreline master program: Deputy community development director Christian Gats summarized Department of Ecology’s conditional approval of the 2023 Shoreline Master Program update, noting minor edits such as mitigation sequencing and retention of mitigation ratios for high‑value wetlands that Ecology said could exist. Staff recommended accepting the edits so the ordinance can be transmitted; the council approved the acceptance 7–0.
Downtown property acquisition: Staff presented a proposed purchase of a Key County parcel (addressed in materials as 100015 Main Street, the former Gaio De Oro) for a negotiated price of $1.5 million; an appraisal supported that price and a Phase II environmental site assessment found no solvents above cleanup or screening levels in sampled soil and groundwater, though staff recommended monitoring for petroleum impacts after building removal. Council authorized the purchase 7–0. Staff said acquisition would help assemble adjacent parcels to support cohesive downtown redevelopment; the city intends to reimburse general fund acquisition costs via financing and later disposition proceeds.
Vision 2040 and priorities: Council adopted an updated Vision 2040 resolution and endorsed a slate of three‑year priorities for implementation, adding a new focus area, regional leadership. Priorities highlighted in staff materials include refining the housing strategy, planning for downtown development and a parks levy, modernizing customer service systems (a 311 service request tool), advancing storm and surface‑water action and urban‑forest plans, and piloting a youth advisory. Council directed staff to explicitly re‑include preservation of Shelton View Forest in the environmental stewardship priorities.
Other business: the council approved the consent calendar earlier in the meeting (minutes, payment vouchers, and the retreat report) and heard one public commenter from the U.S. Small Business Administration describing disaster‑loan options for residents and small businesses after recent storms.
The council’s votes on these items were unanimous (7–0). Staff will transmit the shoreline ordinance to Ecology and proceed with closing steps for the property purchase once closing contingencies are met.
