Berghausen Consulting Engineers, on behalf of developer D.R. Horton, requested changing the zoning of about 80 acres at 3355 Morse Merryman Road to a zone allowing six to 12 units of residential per acre from Neighborhood Village. Barring that, the applicant is asking for zoning of four to eight units per acre.
The council’s vote does not mean the rezoning will happen, simply that the council will consider it along with two other relatively minor proposals in its yearly comprehensive plan amendment process. The council is expected to make a decision by the end of the year.
It’s just the latest development in the Trillium saga, which has drug on for more than six years. Neighbors have fought the proposal, arguing that Trillium does not meet the city’s comprehensive plan, would not be served by a bus route and would overload area schools, requiring children to be bused to more remote locations.
The council turned down the proposal in June. The case has been appealed to Thurston Superior Court.
The proposed development, whose origins date to 2005, would have been bigger than a subdivision. In addition to 300 single-family and 200 multi-family units, it would have included a 1.3-acre commercial area with a 1-acre village green, as well as stormwater areas, open space and new streets. A total of 24.59 acres of open space was proposed.
About 1,500 people would have lived in the development, according a decision from the city’s hearing examiner.
A handful of neighbors turned out on a Valentine’s Day night to register their continued opposition.
“This piece of land, 80 acres, is currently heavily wooded, home to many species of animals and plants, a destination of hikers, runners and dog walkers and backs up to LBA Park,” said Jane Stavish, who lives near the scuttled development.
The council’s discussion centered on whether to consider the rezoning proposal separately from a larger review of the city’s comprehensive plan, which is in the process of a multiyear update and expected to be completed this year.
Councilman Jim Cooper proposed considering it in the broader comprehensive plan update. But Councilman Steve Langer said the issue, along with two others, need separate attention.
The other topics the council agreed to consider comprehensive plan amendments on are:
• Ken Lake basin amendments. City staff will be proposing a set of rules dealing with steep slopes and transportation.
• Park impact fee amendment. Staff is proposing changes to the park impact fee, which is charged to developers of new developments.
In other business, the council appointed Nathaniel Jones as Mayor Pro Tem, informally known as deputy mayor. The Mayor pro tem chairs council meetings in the mayor’s absence.
Matt Batcheldor: 360-704-6869
mbatcheldor@theolympian.com
