MARYSVILLE – Housing Hope wants to build a 50-unit complex to house the homeless north of Twin Lakes County Park.
But because of delays in construction the project is now estimated to cost $14 million.
To cut the gap, Housing Hope is asking the city to reduce or even waive the $164,500 in traffic impact fees.
In a letter from Fred Safstrom, chief executive officer, he says Housing Hope has worked with other cities on similar projects. For example, Monroe, in 2014, waived more than $350,000 in impact fees for development of the Monroe Family Village.
Everett also has passed a law to exempt impact fees on such development.
Safstrom’s letter states that the housing wage in Snohomish County is $29.29 an hour. With the minimum wage $9.37 an hour, that means many entry-level workers can’t afford a place to live.
Twin Lakes Landing, south of Costco and Michaels, is expected to service 182 families in the next 10 years. Of the 50 units, 38 will provide housing for homeless, including six with previous substance abuse issues.
The letter also says the need for affordable housing far exceeds the capacity. The major causes of homelessness is inadequate income and shortage of affordable rentals.
One of the reasons Housing Hope picked that location is its closeness to entry-level jobs, and easy access to public transit. Because so many of these folks are low income, they can’t afford cars so they use bicycles and transit. Since many don’t use cars, not charging traffic impact fees makes sense, Housing Hope says.
City staff plans to study the request.
At Monday’s meeting of the Marysville City Council, it is expected to decide on a second phase of work to be done on the Ebey Waterfront
Trail. The work will include installing signage, site furnishings, precast concrete pavers, concrete curb and slab, fencing and gates, irrigation system and plantings.
Also at the meeting Oct. 10, the council will:
•look at an agreement with wildlife services for relocating animals such as beavers and coyotes.
•look at retiring K9 police dog Ranger.
Other items were discussed at the council’s work session Oct. 3:
•Dave Koenig talked about parking in newly developed areas of town. He said Marysville actually has higher standards than nearby towns, requiring parking spots for guest vehicles, too.
•Police Chief Rick Smith said officers will be growing beards this month for a fund-raiser for cancer research.
•Fire Chief Martin McFalls said the department recently trained chaplains, and three of them went to follow-up on the tragic shooting in Burlington at the Cascade Mall where five people died.
•Mayor Jon Nehring said the Association of Washington Cities recently talked about its legislative agenda. Mental health and drug issues are a priority.
