Proposal to expand urban-growth area near Sumner may resurface

A proposal that has set off a debate in eastern Pierce County and beyond about retail development vs. farmland preservation might soon be revived.

It calls for designating 182 acres south of Sumner as urban-growth area, or UGA, which would open the door for a mixed-use development. The county Planning Commission rejected the proposal this summer, but some County Council members might act to reintroduce it, possibly at a meeting Monday.

City officials are optimistic about the proposal’s chances, Sumner Mayor Dave Enslow said.

The land is in an area known as Orton Junction; it’s currently zoned for rural and agriculture uses.

A Sumner developer owns more than half the property and says a farmers market, retail and medical facilities are possibilities. There also are plans for a YMCA.

The area is prime for development because roads and utility lines are in place nearby, proponents say.

“We think it’s a great proposal,” Enslow said. “(So many people) are eager to see this happen. It’s a grassroots deal.”

Opponents say rich farmland will be lost forever if the development happens, and that there are better spots for growth – including inside city limits.

“Why do we need to expand outside the UGA when Sumner has land within its city limits to do this?” said Marian Berejikian, executive director of the nonprofit Friends of Pierce County environmental group.

Sumner resident Katharine Rode, who has followed the proposal closely, said: “For me, the biggest thing is the farmland. You can’t keep taking and expect the earth to heal itself. Somebody has got to say, ‘enough is enough.’ ”

The Cascade Land Conservancy recently became involved, at the request of County Executive Pat McCarthy, to help find a compromise, said Ryan Mello, Cascade’s Pierce County conservation director. The Seattle-based group has talked with the city and officials from developer Michael Corliss’ firm. It also plans to reach out to other groups, Mello said.

He wouldn’t provide details about the talks, but Corliss said they’ve included discussion of increasing the amount of agriculture land that’s permanently protected to offset development.

The proposed amount this summer was about 200 acres, to the south of Orton Junction.

The Planning Commission heard extensive public comment – both for and against – this summer and rejected the proposal in a 4-3 vote in late July.

That means it’s not in the package of comprehensive-plan amendments the council’s Community Development Committee is scheduled to look at Monday.

But it could be reintroduced – something that, late last week, appeared to be a possibility.

“There are a lot of things happening with the proposal,” said Councilman Dan Roach, R-Bonney Lake. “My hope at the end of the day is that we’re going to have something that’s worked out (with Cascade’s help) … that everybody is able to support.”

Tim Trohimovich, co-director of planning and law for the Seattle-based Futurewise, which works to protect natural areas, said even if more farmland is preserved outside Orton Junction, it wouldn’t make up for what’s lost.

“We still think the Planning Commission and county staff (who recommended the commission deny the proposal) got it right,” he said. “There’s no need for the expansion.”

But Corliss said the project would bring needed jobs and enhance agriculture in the area. He envisions a farmers market where small businesses could get on their feet and farmers could sell what they produce, he said.

“I think probably the best preservation you could provide in the valley is a sustainable business income and a viable place to sell the produce you’ve (grown),” he said.

Sara Schilling: 253-552-7058

sara.schilling@thenewstribune.com

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