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Marysville council authorizes interlocal agreement with Arlington to process Cascade distribution project amid data‑center worries
Summary
On June 22 the Marysville City Council authorized an interlocal agreement (ILA) with Arlington to coordinate permitting and mitigation for a proposed distribution facility that would span the Cascade Industrial Center, while adding reporting and notification safeguards to address local concerns about utility demand and future changes of use.
The Marysville City Council on June 22 authorized the mayor to sign an interlocal agreement with the city of Arlington to coordinate review, permitting and mitigation for a proposed distribution facility in the Cascade Industrial Center that would be mostly in Arlington but extend about 13% into Marysville.
The agreement names Arlington as lead agency for most land‑use and environmental reviews while preserving Marysville’s ability to comment on permits, require local roadway and construction permits for work inside Marysville city limits, recover staff review costs, and require the applicant to report projected water, sewer and electrical demand when filing land‑use applications. Administrator Stapleton told the council the ILA also requires notification if the building’s occupancy or use changes, including subdivision into multiple tenants, so Marysville may review and seek mitigation for any future change that could affect local infrastructure.
Council discussion focused on the balance between streamlined permitting and local safeguards. Attorney John Walker described dispute‑resolution steps in the ILA, including escalation from director to administrator, and the option of a joint committee or technical expert if the cities cannot agree. Council members also asked about practical limits on utilities; staff said meter sizes and the local public utility district review impose practical capacity limits and that significant changes would trigger new permitting and reviews.
The ILA was presented amid public concerns raised earlier in the meeting by residents who urged a city ordinance banning medium and large data centers. Several council members said the project on its face is a distribution facility, not a data center, but supported separately studying data‑center zoning. The council directed staff to return a proposed moratorium for consideration at the July 6 meeting to allow time for a zoning review.
The council voted to authorize the mayor to sign the Arlington ILA; the motion passed with the required quorum (recorded as four in favor, none opposed on the final tally). Mayor Nearing had recused from discussion earlier in the item and left the dais during part of the presentation.
