October 20th 2026 Council Meeting - Auto Lots come for Wine Country

Hi neighbors,

Reading this week's City Council packet. I wanted to flag something that's flown under the radar. Only one person from the public has spoken on it so far, and he works for the company that requested it.

**What's happening:**

Right now, car dealers in our General Business zone (the commercial strip along 522 in the north end) have to keep everything indoors. On Tuesday, Council holds a public hearing and may take a final vote on allowing outdoor car lots. The request came from Lee Johnson Auto Family, which is looking at a 4.3-acre site at NE 190th St and Woodinville-Snohomish Road. (The pictured auto lot is 1/3rd that size.) The rule itself applies more broadly to any General Business zoned property along the 522 corridor.

**Why you should care:**

Picture Hwy 99 in Everett, dealership after dealership. It's fine for car shopping. But it's not what anyone thinks of when they think of Woodinville, and 522 and Woodinville-Snohomish Road are how the majority of people arrive in town. For years, the Council has also funded marketing the city as a wine destination. Further the city also plans housing nearby and existing housing is just across the valley, so all-night bright lighting and increased traffic matter for future neighbors.

**The first of many**

In the June 2nd meeting Sarah Arndt said the city had "been approached by multiple dealerships over the last few months".  The ordinance changes the code so that City staff decide future car-lots without any Public Hearing, or vote by the Council or Planning Commission.

**Their sales pitch:**

The dealer estimates about $700,000 a year in sales tax. It sounds like a lot, but it's not. During the same meeting Tuesday, Council will be voting to pay $1.5 million in routine bills. That $700k is a drop in the bucket, less than 1% of the city's yearly spending. Further the number itself is suspect - it's the company's own number, the city never checked. In the end nothing says increase sales tax will lower anyone's taxes.

**If you want to weigh in:**

• **In person:** Council Chambers, 17301 133rd Ave NE. Sign the sheet before 7 PM, no advance sign-up needed. The car-lot hearing is around 7:25, and you get 5 minutes.
• **Remote or written:** by 6pm on Tuesday, woodinville.gov/276/City-Council
• **Watch:** Comcast channel 21 or the city website.