Evan Smith on Politics: On seeking state Supreme Court review of Point Wells decision

By Evan Smith

A recent story here said that the Town of Woodway and the Save Richmond Beach organization have asked the State Supreme Court to review a court-of-appeals decision that would allow the developer of the proposed Point Wells condominium development to proceed under the urban-center zoning rules rather than the more restrictive urban-village zoning.

The issue is whether the developer can build the proposed 3,100-unit condominium development under rules that were in effect when it applied to Snohomish County for a permit or under current rules that the county has adopted under orders from the State Growth Management Hearings Board.

After a King County Superior Court judge ruled in favor of Woodway and Save Richmond Beach that the new rules applied, the developer appealed. The developer had a right to have the court hear the appeal.

Now, Woodway and Save Richmond Beach want the State Supreme Court to hear an appeal of the appeals court decision that went against them. This time, the Town and the neighborhood organization need to persuade the Court to hear the case. This appeal happens only if the Supreme Court determines that the case presents a substantial enough question.

While Woodway and Save Richmond Beach are parties to the suit, the City of Shoreline has stayed out, preferring to negotiate with Snohomish County over the impacts of the development along Puget Sound in unincorporated southwest Snohomish County with no access except by a two-lane road through the Richmond Beach area of Shoreline.

Woodway and Save Richmond Beach want Shoreline to help convince the court with an “Amicus Curie” or “Friend of the Court” brief that might bolster the argument that the Court should hear the case. 

Evan Smith can be reached here.