Some entrepreneurs frustrated with land-use regulations in Snohomish County, Washington, are looking to the Stillaguamish Tribe for help.

Mark Verbarendse hasn't been able to get approval for a gas station he wants to build. So he sold 32.5 acres to the tribe, which has asked the Bureau of Indian Affairs to place the land into trust. If the request is approved, he won't have to worry about the county's rules, something the county doesn't like.

The tribe also approached a family of real estate agents to do something similar. The county has blocked the family from putting a car dealership on 15 acres.

Snohomish County has opposed tribes who try to have land placed in trust. The county tried to assert jurisdiction on Indian-owned fee land within the Tulalip Reservation but lost in the courts.

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Tribe's aid sought in land-use battle for gas station (The Seattle Times 7/21)