The City of Snoqualmie announced on Thursday, May 18, 2017, that a presentation about the proposed Snoqualmie Heights 55+ retirement development originally scheduled for the May 22nd city council meeting will be rescheduled for a future meeting.
It is not on the May 22nd meeting agenda. Presentations scheduled for the upcoming City Council meeting include recognition of Emergency Medical Services Week and Public Works Week.
You can see Snoqualmie City council agendas HERE.
A developer is proposing to build an 800-unit 55 and over, age qualified housing development in the Snoqualmie Hills West area, which is located in the city’s UGA between Snoqualmie Ridge and the historic downtown area. The phased-in, master planned development would require the city council to first annex about 260 acres of the Snoqualmie Hills UGA area.
The decision to annex would not be made until (most likely) spring 2018 – and IF the proposal goes forward, the first home wouldn’t begin construction until 2021, with the entire project estimated to be built out around 2030.
The proposed, multi-year project also requires purchasing the 260 acre site from about 35 current property owners, which wouldn’t happen unless the council approves the land annexation. If that occurs, the project would still have a lengthy planning period before any homes begin construction in 2021.
We attended the latest presentation about this proposed development, which was made to the City of Snoqualmie Economic Development Commission on May 17 – and will be posting an updated story in the coming days. You can also read more an earlier story about the topic HERE.
Comments
Thank you Danna for the update…..What if the majority of the homeowners don’t want to sell their properties? Is eminent domain being considered? I can’t imagine them doing that to these long time residents of Snoqualmie. Whether or not they break ground in 2 or 3 years, we current residents and neighbors should care about the future of our community. 800 units? That is a big project with infrastructure that doesn’t presently support it. I think at one point we need to slow down, because digesting the idea of the Hampton Inn alone is disappointing for many. As a whole the residents of Snoqualmie feel like they have no voice where the city council is considered.
No, I don’t think eminent domain could be used in this case. I believe it can be used only for things that are for public use like roads, schools, etc. I got the impression that the developer is in more of a hurry than the city. The mayor mentioned having concerns over water rights. I spoke to one property owner who mentioned that not all property owners are supportive at this juncture, but made it sound like a majority are. I think the development group said the land cost for this project was roughly $100 million. I will be working on a story soon – took lots of notes:)
Thanks Danna, look forward to it.