What shapes a project proposal in the City?
It starts with the community. Regulations, influenced by community input, to concentrate most growth and future projects in the downtown and Hollywood tourist districts. The community’s vision was and is to create more dense walkable neighborhoods in these areas. This was Woodinville’s chosen approach to satisfying state requirements for accommodating our share of the regional growth while doing everything possible to protect the surrounding residential neighborhoods.
With those regulations setting the boundaries, it is the market economy that determines what gets built and when. Developers are motivated by earning potential. Based on market demand and the cost to build, developers decide whether a project is feasible and worth the effort to build. When it is worth the effort, the developer contacts the City Hall with their proposal and staff works with them to ensure their projects are done according to the Woodinville Municipal Code. This includes design standards and addressing project impacts that may be short-term or long-term on the community. Typically, these impacts can includes addressing traffic, parking, parks, landscaping, schools, and building design.
Can the City block new projects from happening?
The answer to this can be complicated given legal requirements. In short, if a project meets all regulatory requirements and adequately addresses impacts, then the answer is no. The project must be approved. However, in Woodinville, projects often need new infrastructure to be built that supports the development. Without adequate infrastructure, a project cannot be approved. Additionally, City regulations may require developers to provide certain public benefits as on offset for allowing some of these larger projects. This means developers often must build new roads and sidewalks, as well as new stormwater facilities; and provide such things as decorative open spaces, amenities for people walking, public art, and other community benefits.
Why is so much construction now?
The answer is the same reason current residents live here: Woodinville is a desirable place to be and developers recognize this. Many of the projects occurring have been in various stages of planning and permitting for years. It just so happens that there has been a convergence of economic conditions and timing that so many projects are being built now.
Public benefits
List of public benefits coming soon...
Public Development & Capital Improvement Plan
Every two years, the City updates its Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) which outlines planned capital projects over the next 6 years. Examples of projects include street overlays, parks projects and flood reduction efforts in Woodinville. There are dedicated funds that the city collects (through utility revenues) to pay for capital projects. The CIP discusses and forecasts those revenues for the following 6 year period and aligns expenditures with the expected revenues.
Public projects include those identified in the City's Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) or those coordinated by another public agency. Public projects occur within public rights-of-way or on property owned by a government agency such as the City, County, State, or a utility company.
Concerned about development?
If you are concerned about the direction new development might take Woodinville, your City Council has been elected to represent you and is the best point of contact to express these concerns. The City Council sets Woodinville’s direction in the plans, regulations, and policies they adopt. The City Council cannot block a project already happening, but they can adjust and set new rules to ensure future projects fit the community’s vision. If you have concerns about an ongoing project, City staff is available to make sure developers are following the rules.