80 homes proposed in Lacey across from North Thurston High School
How’s this for a change? It’s not apartments being proposed in Lacey, but single-family residences.
D.R. Horton, a national home builder, has proposed building 80 single-family residences between Sixth Avenue Northeast and 15th Avenue Northeast, according to a notice of application received by the city of Lacey.
The location is across from North Thurston High School.
The company aims to subdivide 15 acres of property for the lots. The property is zoned mixed-use moderate density corridor, which allows density of between eight and 12 units per acre, according to city information.
Horton also has submitted an application to remove timber in the area.
Company representatives first met with city officials in June. Horton initially proposed 93 homes, then scaled down the proposal to 80.
Although apartment proposals have recently dominated residential development, there have been some significant subdivisions recently pitched in Thurston County.
▪ In Tumwater, more than 1,000 homes, including single-family residences, were proposed earlier this year on property next to Black Hills High School.
▪ In Lacey’s urban growth area, 620 homes, mostly single-family residences, also were proposed earlier this year.
Unfortunately, if you’re a prospective home buyer competing for a home here, the new residences won’t be ready for some time.
“There’s nothing on the table to give us immediate relief,” said Steve Garrett, owner and designated broker of Windermere Olympia, about the state of the residential real estate market.
The market has favored sellers for months because the county has consistently had less than a month’s supply of homes for sale. A market that doesn’t favor either buyers or sellers is thought to have inventory in the range of four to six months.
Because of the limited inventory, a home for sale in Lacey recently received 11 offers, Garrett said. He said some prospective buyers can’t even “get up to the plate” with that kind of competition.
Residents who would like to comment on the Horton proposal can send comments to Senior Planner Sarah Schelling at sschelli@ci.lacey.wa.us or to the Lacey Community Development Department, 420 College St. SE Lacey, WA 98503. Comments must be received by 5 p.m. Dec. 15.
This story was originally published December 4, 2020 at 5:45 AM.
