620 homes planned in Lacey’s urban growth area. Developer submits proposal to county
Another large development has been proposed in Thurston County.
A developer has plans to bring 620 homes to 82 acres in an area of Lacey’s urban growth area that is bordered by Mullen Road Southeast, Kagy Road Southeast and 58th Avenue Southeast, according to county information.
Thurston County Community Planning and Economic Development announced the notice of application on June 19. Public information shows the developer behind the project is Steve Chamberlain, a longtime Thurston County resident.
He proposes to develop “Manor House,” a planned residential development that will subdivide the acreage over four phases. It will include single-family residences, multifamily units, open space and areas for public access, according to county information.
Chamberlain said Friday the majority of homes will be single-family residences, and that the project could break ground a year from now. His project makes sense, he said, because he feels people will continue to leave Seattle for other places to live.
“I see the trend of people exiting the city now,” he said.
As both an engineer and a developer, Chamberlain has had ties to a number of subdivisions in the county, including Deschutes River Highlands in Tumwater.
“It will be a nice asset to the area,” he said about his latest project, “and I intend to make it nice.”
County information also shows that a new public road system will be built to serve each lot. The project will connect to city of Lacey sewer, and 53 acres of a former Christmas tree farm also will be logged, according to the county.
The project requires a public hearing before a hearings examiner. It also is subject to the state Environmental Policy Act and review under a number of county requirements.
Although a 620-home development is large, it is not the largest to recently be proposed in the area.
Earlier this year, Tumwater development officials got their first look at Tickner Farms, which proposes to bring as many as 1,700 residential units to property next to Black Hills High School on Littlerock Road, The Olympian reported.
The comment period for Manor House ends at 4 p.m. July 9.
Comments can be sent to county project coordinator Vince McDowell at vince.mcdowell@co.thurston.wa.us, or they can be sent by mail to Thurston County Courthouse Building 1, Community Planning and Economic Development Department, 2000 Lakeridge Drive SW Olympia, WA 980502.
This story was originally published June 26, 2020 at 5:45 AM.
