Story and photo by Doug Petrowski

After two lean years, new housing starts in Mountlake Terrace have bounced back close to goals set by city planners.

Statistics released by the Mountlake Terrace Planning Commission show an average of 47 housing unit permits per year were issued by the city for the six-year period of 2007-2012. The average was raised considerably in 2012 as the large-scale Arbor Village development at 56th Avenue West and 236th Street Southwest accounted for 123 units, three-fourths of the 163 permits issued last year.

During the heart of the recent economic recession, only two housing unit permits were issued in Mountlake Terrace in 2008 and just eight permits were issued in 2009.

“The (goal) is 49 housing units permitted per year, and that’s been a pretty tough goal to meet in the last five or six years,” said City Senior Planner Edith Duttlinger. City officials acknowledge that one big project did tip the six-year average favorably, but are quick to point out there has also been smaller-scale construction occurring in the community over the past 12 months.

“The big project was Arbor Village; that was 123 units, but there were also a number of townhomes, seven single-family residences and a couple of ADUs (accessory dwelling units).” Duttlinger said.

The statistics representing housing starts in Mountlake Terrace in 2007-2012 were part of the 2012 Comprehensive Plan Performance and Planning Commission 2013 Work Plan report presented to the City Council on Tuesday. The report also stated that air quality of the region has meet or exceeded federal standards, water quality has met Department of Health standards, an average of 2891 linear feet of sidewalks have been constructed in the city annually since 2007, water system leakage is slightly above utility department goals, and employment in the city has consistently remained above planners’ goals of 6,000 jobs.

You can view the entire Planning Commission report  here.

2007-2012 City of Mountlake Terrace Housing Unit Permits
2007 –   28

2008 –     2

2009 –     8

2010 –   36

2011 –   47

2012 – 163