Over the last 20 years, Snohomish County has seen an enormous amount of residential real estate growth, especially East of Mill Creek. Construction of new houses exploded in that area, and people continue to move in everyday. But along with rapid growth, comes higher population densities, more commercial development, street traffic, pollution and crime. Fortunately, most of Mill Creek was a planned residential development. Today, it is that very structure that makes Mill Creek one of Washington State's most desirable places to live.
Unlike many of today's developers, United Development Corp. (UDC), had a lot of raw land available to them. This allowed them to plan and develop a huge area. With so much property at their disposal, UDC was able to accomplish two critical things.
First, they didn't the need to pack as many homes as possible into the area. They were able to avoid the urban postage stamp collection that makes up so many of today's newer developments. They clearly wanted each home to have a little elbow room and privacy. The majority of homes in Mill Creek sit on lots between .21 and half an acre in size.
Second, the UDC was able to focus on blending residential neighborhoods into an existing natural setting. They didn't just level everything and then set aside some protective native growth areas full of dead trees. The UDC wanted Mill Creek to be different from the neighboring towns of Lynnwood and Everett. It was this planning that now keeps Mill Creek's population density low and makes our natural environment so desirable.
In fact, the Mill Creek Community Association, founded by UDC in 1974, owns and maintains over 160 acres of common space, including more than 16 miles of walking trails, 11 neighborhood parks, and a huge 120+ acre nature preserve. The UDC did such a good job of preserving the natural environment, that most visitors that drive through Mill Creek never realize that they just went by an 18 hole championship golf course!
These are just a few of the reasons people buy homes in Mill Creek.
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