On April 2^nd, the City Council and Planning Commission co-hosted a community meeting to discuss long-term plans for the planned Urban Growth Area (UGA) expansion north of US-2. Approximately 90 citizens were present to meet City officials and to share their views and preferences. A land use planning exercise allowed participants to design a community for the time when urbanization ultimately occurs.

The results of the recent public opinion survey were also presented during this meeting. You can see the PowerPoint slides used during this presentation on the City’s website: www.ci.snohomish.wa.us. In general, respondents expressed a preference for the area to remain rural, but also showed a strong preference to annex to Snohomish rather than the City of Lake Stevens.

A second meeting is planned for 7:00 p.m. on April 29^th to continue the direct dialogue between City leaders and interested citizens. The conceptual land use plans created by the small groups on April 2^nd will be refined by professional land use planners and engineers. These community meetings are open to the public and you are invited to attend. For more information, contact Corbitt Loch at (360) 282-3170 or loch@ci.snohomish.wa.us.

The City of Snohomish’s promotional ad is now displayed on a billboard along Smokey Point Boulevard East. Pursuant to a settlement agreement with billboard company iconGroupe, the City is entitled to one month of display per year, and this new location will help promote Snohomish as a premier destination. The promotion will be displayed for a minimum of two months – providing Snohomish with more than $10,000 of advertising at no cost!

The Planning Department’s Development Activity Map has been updated and posted on the City’s website: www.ci.snohomish.wa.us. Even though the number of new residential developments has declined, City staff remain busy with the many projects already underway. The opening of Snohomish Station is prompting new development in its vicinity. Commercial development remains strong here in Snohomish.

The story of how the historic downtown of Snohomish was saved by the efforts of community leaders will be the topic of a talk being presented by former City Councilmember Anne Eason at the Blackman House Museum on Sunday, April 13 at

2:30 p.m.

“Saving Snohomish History” is the final event in a series called Stories at the Blackman House, an oral history program sponsored by the Snohomish Historical Society. Complimentary tea service will be provided by Everything Tea on First Street.

Seating for the event is first come, first served, and the doors of the museum will open at 1:00 p.m. for those who want to get their seats early.

April 4, 2008

www.ci.snohomish.wa.us

Business Training Classes Now Offered by

The City of Snohomish, in partnership with the Northwest Women’s Business Center (NWWBC), is now offering quarterly business training classes. The classes will provide quality and targeted training to meet the needs of prospective and existing small businesses. The classes will be held from 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. at Snohomish City Hall, 116 Union Avenue. The dates of the classes are April 10^th, June 18^th, September 11^th, and November 6^th.

The April 10^th class is titled Tackle Your Website. You will learn easy ways to get your website completed yourself and how to hire the right people when you need help. Plus, you will learn how to add e-commerce and other tools to make your website more useful and effective.

Future topics will be Blogging for the Small Business, Marketing on a Shoestring Budget, and Cash Flow Strategies. The fee for the classes is $35, payable to the NWWBC.

For more information, see the attached flier or contact Debbie Emge at (360) 282-3197 or emge@ci.snohomish.wa.us.