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Due to the nature of the urban center review process, this board will meet on as as needed basis.  The location, date, and time of open public meetings will be published on the county's web site and other applicable means for notification.

David Killingstad, Planning and Development Services
425-388-3311   d.killingstad@snoco.org

Aaron Reardon, County Executive
Snohomish County Executive Office
Attn: Urban Center Design Review Board
3000 Rockefeller Ave, M/S 407
Everett, WA 98201-4046
Phone: 425-388-3460
Fax: 425-388-3434
county.executive@snoco.org

The Urban Center Design Review Board serves in an advisory role for urban center development applications submitted under chapter 30.34A SCC.  The board provides recommendations to the Department of Planning and Development Services (PDS) and the applicant applying under chapter 30.34A SCC (SCC 30.34A.180(2)(a)-(b)).

Duties include:

• Holding open public meetings with urban center project applicants, county staff, neighbors to the project, members of the public, and any city or town whose municipal boundaries are within one mile of the proposed urban center development or whose urban growth area includes the subject site or whose public utilities or services would be used by the proposed urban center development.
• Reviewing and discussing proposed site plans and project design.
• Providing written recommendations to PDS and the applicant on potential modifications regarding the project, such as: scale, density, design, building mass, and proposed uses of the project.
• Synthesizing community input on design concerns.
• Providing early design guidance to the development team and community.
• Ensuring fair and consistent application of the design standards of chapter 30.34A SCC and any neighborhood-specific design guidelines.

Review Process for an Urban Center Application

• An applicant is required to conduct a neighborhood meeting at least 30 days before an application can be submitted.
• An environmental impact statement (EIS) is required for projects proposing buildings in excess of 90 feet or if required by the State Environmental Policy Act (SEPA) threshold decision.
• Upon submittal of a complete application, the applicant shall immediately initiate negotiations of a "municipal agreement" with a city or town in whose future annexation area the project is located and any city or town that borders the project site.  The municipal agreement could include elements of the project such as design, location, density, or other aspects of the proposed development.  The agreement must be consistent with county development regulations.  It cannot be less restrictive than the county's development regulations but the parties may agree to impose more restrictive conditions on the development.
• An applicant and city or town has 45 days to attempt negotiations of a municipal agreement, though either party may withdraw before the end of the 45 days or may mutually request an extension for additional time for negotiations.  If a municipal agreement is reached, the applicaiton (including an EIS, if required) would be reviewed according to chapter 30.75 SCC (Development Agreement) and negotiation of a development agreement between the county and the applicant would be initiated.  The development agreement would be sent to the Hearing Examiner (HE) for a public hearing and then to the Snohomish County Council for final approval as an ordinance.  Any party of record may appeal the council's decision to Superior Court.
• Should a municipal agreement or development agreement NOT be reached, the applicaiton will be reviewed according to chapter 30.72 SCC (Type 2 quasi-judicial process).  The application would be sent to a design review board that would hold a public meeting and provide recommendations to PDS and the applicant.  If required, an EIS would be completed and any mitigation measures incorporated into the PDS staff recommendation.  The PDS staff recommendation would be sent to the HE for a public hearing.  The HE may impose conditions on the project based on the public record including the recommendations from the design review board.  Any party of record may appeal the HE decision to the County Council.

Pursuant to SCC 2.03.060 - Candidates for appointment to county boards or commissions must meet the following requirements:

• Possess qualifications for the appointment sought, as shown by the candidate's written documentation and any hearing testimony.
• If a reappointment, demonstrate the continuing benefits of retaining the board member as discussed in the executive's recommendation and a satisfactory attendance record, as determined by adopted criteria of the particular board.
• Reside or work in Snohomish County, or show evidence of special interest in Snohomish County, PROVIDED that a candidate may not be a County employee.
• Membership is limited to one position at a time on a board or commission, PROVIDED that a member of a board may simultaneously serve on one ad hoc or advisory committee.

Additional requirements for appointment to the urban center design review board pursuant to SCC 30.34A.175 (which may be more restrictive than those above):

• Shall reside in Snohomish County.
• Shall possess experience in neighborhood land use issues as demonstrated by their experience and sensitivity in understanding the effect of design decisions on neighborhoods and the development process.
• Should possess familiarity with land use processes and standards as applied in Snohomish County.

No member of the design review board shall have a financial or other private interest, direct or indirect, personally or through a member of his or her immediate family, in a project under review by the design review board on which that member sits.

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