Molbak's abandons plans for rural site

Molbak's garden center in Woodinville has abandoned its controversial plan to move much of its retail operation to a new horticultural center on rural-zoned land in the Sammamish Valley, owner Jens Molbak said yesterday.

Molbak also said he would not pursue a proposed change in county policies that would have allowed the project despite traffic congestion on adjacent roads.

He cited an outpouring of opposition from neighbors and environmentalists after they learned that pending amendments to the county's comprehensive plan would allow horticulture centers with shops, restaurants and conference centers.

Opponents said the development would have brought a level of development that is inappropriate for a rural area next to the Sammamish Valley agricultural production district.

Representatives of 1000 Friends of Washington and Hollywood Hill Association were upset they didn't know until last week about the code changes proposed to accommodate the horticulture center.

"I don't think they understand what they killed," Molbak said. He was particularly upset by opponents' e-mails describing his plan as "a 40-acre retail development."

He said retail would have been only one part of the center, which also would have featured an arboretum of native trees and gardens demonstrating ways of growing organic vegetables and gardens that minimize water and pesticide use.

"It's been a year and half of work," Molbak said. "It was a great concept. We think it would have been great for Puget Sound. It would have been exciting to pursue it, but we've got to focus on providing retail in Woodinville and growing, and that's what we're going to do."

Molbak's will continue to grow plants on the 41-acre property where it has greenhouses and had hoped to put the horticulture center.

Molbak said he would be reluctant to resurrect the horticulture center even if the council later passed all the laws required to do so.

"If 1000 Friends says they won't oppose it and Hollywood Hill Association says they won't oppose it, I'll take a look it again, but I don't like the idea of launching an environmental thing with environmental people against it," he said.

The Metropolitan King County Council late yesterday afternoon was preparing for a meeting expected to stretch into the night, at which it expected to adopt changes to the comprehensive land-use plan.

Keith Ervin: 206-464-2105 or kervin@seattletimes.com