City annexes Meadows Edge

Unanimous vote

Matt Baide | Apr 06, 20230

Courtesy graphic count

This graphic shows the boundaries of the proposed area of annexation near Island Lake.

The Shelton City Council unanimously approved the annexation of 40 acres of land into the city at its Tuesday meeting.

According to the background information, the city received notice in February of the intent to petition for annexation. The property being annexed, known as Meadows Edge, is in the Shelton urban growth area and is adjacent to the Shelton Springs subdivision and south of Island Lake.

The property is the site of a proposed 36-lot subdivision, which is under review by Mason County staff. The subdivision would use city utilities and roads and requested annexation as part of their development proposal. The area is pre-zoned Neighborhood Residential under the city's comprehensive plan future land use map.

According to RCW 35A.14.120, the applicant intends to petition the city for annexation using the 60% method. The applicant will provide a petition with signatures of at least 60% of the assessed valuation of the annexation area's property owners, following the approval of annexation.

County records list Seattle-based MTT Dev LLC as the sole owner of the 40-acre area, which was purchased from Green Diamond Resource Co. on May 31, 2022.

Shelton senior planner Jason Dose told the council nothing has changed since it was originally brought to the council March 21, unanimously passing to be put on Tuesday's action agenda for final approval.

"I remember when that used to be all trees up on that property, that big piece of property, all over Mountain View," councilmember Kathy McDowell said. "Cross country used to run through the trees in their cross country meets. It's exciting to see progress and building tops and more property that we can use."

Mayor Eric Onisko echoed the comments, stating "we definitely need houses near here."

Now that the council has approved the request for annexation, the next steps include the applicant formally submitting a petition for annexation in the area to the city. The county assessor will determine sufficiency and authenticity of the 60% petition, a formal public notice will be issued and a public hearing held regarding the annexation. Also, the council will consider an ordinance for approval or denial of the annexation of all or any portion of the proposed area only included in the petition. Annexation would be effective on the date of the ordinance.

The City Council gave preliminary approval to sell surplus land on North 13th Street in Shelton to Mason County Public Hospital District No. 1 for $800,000. The money from the sale would be paid to the city water utility fund.

The property is 7.32 acres and is across the street from Mason Health and Mason General Hospital. The property was declared surplus in October 2021. The purchase and sale agreement retains utility, trail and conservation easements on the property, so any development on the property would have to uphold those easements.

Interim City Manager Mark Ziegler briefed the City Council on the agreement, stating the hospital district has some interest in maintaining a campus at that location and providing critical health facilities within the campus.