Published June 2005

Real Estate Briefs

Everett OKs taller buildings
on portion of Rucker
The Everett City Council voted in May to allow high-rise buildings on part of Rucker Avenue, some of which could be as tall as 170 feet.

The 5-2 decision came in spite of a handful of opponents who called on city leaders to develop a definite plan for the city’s downtown and waterfront slope before rezoning small sections.

Some of those opponents are now considering their options, which could include legal action.

The rezone essentially doubles the 80-foot height limit on the east side of Rucker between Everett and Pacific avenues and opens the area to more downtown-style development

Although there are 14 property owners in the four-block area, the increased building height was requested by Mayor Ray Stephanson on behalf of local developer Skotdal Real Estate.

Company President Craig Skotdal said the company has no specific site plans. However, Skotdal has spoken in public meetings about a desire to build two upscale high-rises on Rucker.

The buildings could house retail stores and apartments or condominiums, and would likely be at the site of the Everett Elks Lodge at Rucker and California Street and on a former car rental lot at Rucker and Pacific.

The rezone debate was relatively evenly split, with city leaders, business owners and residents weighing in on both sides.

Judge nixes bid to make
Island Crossing commercial
For the second time in eight years, a Snohomish County Superior Court judge has rejected a bid by car dealer Dwayne Lane and the city of Arlington to convert Island Crossing from agriculture to commercial use.

Judge Linda Krese struck down the proposal in May, saying that Lane, the city and Snohomish County had not shown any substantial change in circumstances since previous court decisions.

In 1997, Snohomish County Superior Court Judge James Allendoerfer said the 110 acres at Island Crossing near Arlington’s I-5 exit was protected as farmland under the state’s Growth Management Act. Since then, the state Court of Appeals and a state growth hearings board have not wavered from that decision. Neither did Krese.

Environmentalists and flood district officials praised the decision, saying they hoped it would finally end the long legal debate.

Lane said he was certain to appeal.

Home prices hit record high;
listings down 26.7 percent
Snohomish County home prices hit record highs and the number of homes on the market were unusually low in April, according to statistics released by the Northwest Multiple Listing Service, which represents most Western Washington real estate agents.

The combined median price for single-family homes and condominiums in Snohomish County hit $265,000 in April, a new record. For single-family homes alone, the median was $279,640. For condos, it was $185,495.

Median means that half the homes sold cost more and half cost less.

In addition to high prices, listings were down in April, with 26.7 percent fewer homes to choose from in comparison to the year before, resulting in quick sales and multiple offers in many cases.

Homes also spent much less time on the market in April, selling in an average of 51 days, 10 fewer than in April 2004.

Stanwood considers recycling
grocery store into civic center
The Stanwood City Council and Sno-Isle Libraries have agreed to pay a consultant to see if the local Thrifty Foods grocery store could be remodeled into a civic center, combining a new city hall and police station with a library.

The city and the regional library system agreed to share consultant costs to study the grocery space. The city will pay the bulk of those costs, not to exceed $11,000, according to an agreement signed in May.

City and library leaders say their facilities are now too small as they expand staff and services to keep up with growth. News in March that Thrifty Foods was selling its Stanwood building lease piqued their interest.

The grocery store is 32,000 square feet. An additional 14,000 square feet in the adjacent former Rite Aid space also is available.

Back to the top/June 2005 Main Menu