After 14 meetings with more than 30 hours of deliberations and review - as well as multiple public comment opportunities - on October 24, 2022, the Snoqualmie City Council unanimously adopted Resolutions 1630 and 1631, approving the Snoqualmie Mill Site Planned Commercial Industrial (PCI) Plan and Development Agreement (DA).
At its Oct. 24 meeting, the Council provided an additional designated public comment period - prior to final deliberations on the Mill Site DA - and subsequently made motions to incorporate stakeholder and public feedback into the final agreement.
Notable updates to the Final DA include provisions related to site cleanup of Planning Areas 2 and 3; significant affordable housing (22% of units at 60-80% AMI); substantial funding for a fire ladder truck; addition of a pocket park playground for future residents.
“During review and deliberations, the Council took a thoughtful approach to address both opposition and stakeholder concerns, while also considering positive elements for our residents,” said Mayor Katherine Ross. “This final development agreement will benefit our community and our local economy. Thank you to the Council for its diligence and hard work.”
The city estimates construction of Mill Site Planning Area 1 to begin in 2024. The project will follow the design and permitting processes specified in the DA prior to any construction commencing.
About the Development Agreement: The Development Agreement establishes the development standards and processes that govern and vest development of the property for the term of the DA, including mitigation measures and development conditions applicable to the project.
About the Mill Site Project: The private project is planned for the 261-acre former Weyerhaeuser Snoqualmie Mill Site near downtown Snoqualmie, and is owned by Snoqualmie Mill Ventures, LLC. The land was annexed into the city limits in 2012. The proposed project site does not include the nearby Mill Pond/Borst Lake, which is still owned by Weyerhaeuser.
Most of the property - approximately two-thirds of the project site - will remain open space with natural areas, habitat, and flood storage. The re-developed portion of the property will occur in three stages.
Planning Area 1- as defined by the development agreement - will focus on the production and storage of wine, re-developing this area with a mix of related light industrial, commercial/retail, and warehouse buildings along a pedestrian-oriented main street featuring tasting rooms and restaurants.
It will also include 160 units of multi-family housing situated on the upper floors of the mixed-use buildings. As defined in the development agreement, 22% of those units will be designated for residents whose income is 60-80% of King County’s Area Median Income (AMI).
Planning Areas 2 and 3 are planned be phased over the next 10-15 years.