Snohomish County judge hears arguments on petition over access to the shoreline

EVERETT — In a motion hearing Friday, Snohomish County Superior Court Judge Karen Moore heard arguments on a petition filed in September against Snohomish County over shoreline access at Hillman Place — a public right-of-way created in 1909 near Soundview Drive Northwest in Stanwood.

On Sept. 26, plaintiff K’allen Specht filed a petition in Snohomish County Superior Court alleging the county’s use of “ghost signs,” concrete barriers and removal of the only parking stall has erased access to the shoreline located on the public right-of-way.

The petition alleges the false appearance of official enforcement via “By Order of the Sheriff” tow-away signs, which were installed under the direction of the county’s traffic operations staff with no apparent authorization, removal of the site’s only parking stall in 2017 and concrete pillars at the shoreline, despite a Fire Marshal’s recommendation for removal in 2015, deters public access to the right-of-way and prioritizes resident complaints.

On Friday, Specht asked the court to deny the defendant’s motion to dismiss the petition for writ of mandamus and a declaratory judgment, which would require the county to ensure public shoreline access at Hillman Place by installing permanent public access signage, restoring public parking, conducting a professional land survey, removing unlawful or misleading signage and removing concrete obstructions.

https://www.heraldnet.com/news/snohomish-county-judge-hears-arguments-on-petition-over-access-to-the-shoreline/