Lakewood residents riled up about development
LAKEWOOD — “It’s like déjà vu all over again,” one Lakewood resident quipped, as Marysville officials conducted their second Lakewood Master Plan meeting at Lakewood Middle School.
While the Oct. 21 meeting was more subdued and sparsely attended than the first meeting in March, its attendees were no less concerned with the fate of their neighborhoods.
Addressing the work being done on 172nd Street NE, public works director Kevin Nielsen reported that the intersection with 23rd Avenue NE would be the site of a new roundabout. Although Nielsen was initially skeptical of roundabouts, he’s since become a believer in that capacity to handle traffic and alleviate choke-points.
Nielsen cited the 27th Avenue NE intersection as one such choke-point, since motorists heading onto 172nd westbound off I-5 southbound have to cut across several lanes of traffic if they want to go south on 27th, to enter the Lakewood Crossing Shopping Center.
Nielsen proposed that traffic could be alleviated at this intersection by diverting motorists further west, to the roundabout at 23rd, where they could make a quick U-turn.
Nielsen also proposed connecting to 27th Avenue NE, on the west side of the shopping center, by constructing a connection between 23rd, south of 172nd, and 169th Street NE, west of 27th.
Although Lakewood residents had previously asked the city to consider an over-crossing or under-crossing at the intersection of 172nd Street NE and the railroad tracks, Nielsen noted this would require a vertical clearance of 23.5 feet. Such a project would incur significant costs and impacts on surrounding property, both of which make it unlikely at this time, he said.
City engineer Jeff Laycock forecast a new $6 million sewer system for the area. Nielsen said developers would be expected to pay for the new lines, when they’re needed in 5-15 years.
Planning manager Chris Holland came under fire from several attendees, who voiced their skepticism of his assertions that existing businesses and residences along 172nd Street NE wouldn’t be forced out by development. One resident said, “Not everyone wants to live in apartments,” such as the ones currently under construction.
Holland mentioned that the Tulalip Tribes had purchased the Plant Farm at Smokey Point, and agreed with calls for a local grocery store.
“We’re looking to build on the existing character of this area,” said Holland, who envisions mixed-use development of ground-floor merchants with living spaces above them, as well as a network of pedestrian and bike paths to connect residential, recreational and shopping areas.
“It sounds to a lot of us like this is all already cut and dried,” area resident Jeannie Lish said near the end of the meeting.
“I disagree,” Holland said. “Nothing has been done yet. We’re just in the draft phase now. The planning commission has yet to make its recommendations to the City Council.”
For details, visit www.marysvillewa.gov/705/Lakewood-Subarea-Plan.
