Council affirms ruling against Point Wells condo project

The Snohomish County Council's decision to uphold the hearing examiner's ruling against the Point Wells high-rise condominium project represents a significant setback for the developer, BSRE Point Wells. The council voted 4-0 in favor of Hearing Examiner Peter Camp's ruling, which identified serious violations of county codes, particularly concerning building height and safety issues related to landslide hazards. The developer argued that they were not afforded a fair opportunity to respond to the recommendations from the county Planning and Development Services department prior to the denial. However, county officials maintained that BSRE had ample time to address the plan's inconsistencies. Local residents have voiced strong concerns about potential landslide risks, increased traffic congestion, and the environmental cleanup required before any construction could begin.

With the decision now finalized, BSRE's options for moving forward are limited to either appealing to Superior Court or submitting a revised application for shorter buildings. This ongoing dispute underscores the complexities of development in areas with significant environmental and safety considerations, and it remains to be seen how BSRE will navigate these challenges and whether a viable development plan can emerge.