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Lacey places impact fees, archaeological requirements on 2 Hicks Lake apartment proposals

Lacey this week issued environmental decisions for two controversial apartment proposals that would bring a total of more than 300 units to the west side of Hicks Lake near Wanschers Park.

The city announced mitigated determinations of non-significance, meaning that some environmental requirements must be met for both projects, but not to the extent that a detailed Environmental Impact Statement would require.

Under consideration are the following: Bellevue-based Gayteway at Hicks Lake LLC has proposed 132 units at 2801 Hazelwood Lane SE, while Tukwila-based Schneider Homes LLC wants to bring 178 units to 2712 Hazelwood Lane SE.

Both apartment projects (shown here as numbers 2 and 3) which first emerged last spring, have been proposed for the west shore of the lake, south of Wanschers Park. The two proposals also were met with immediate resistance from neighbors, who raised concerns about impacts to the lake, the forested area, wildlife and traffic.
Both apartment projects (shown here as numbers 2 and 3) which first emerged last spring, have been proposed for the west shore of the lake, south of Wanschers Park. The two proposals also were met with immediate resistance from neighbors, who raised concerns about impacts to the lake, the forested area, wildlife and traffic. City of Lacey Courtesy

The city has determined that both developers will have to pay about $70,000 in traffic impact fees — $32,298 for the smaller project, $42,005 for the larger — to mitigate increased traffic on Thurston County roads.

Both also are required to complete an archaeological survey and submit it to the state Department of Archeology and Historic Preservation (DAHP), the Nisqually Indian Tribe, the Squaxin Island Tribe and the city of Lacey.

“If the survey uncovers any archeological resources, a permit must be obtained from the DAHP prior to any ground disturbing activity that removes or alters Native American human remains or archeological resources,” the city determinations read.

The two determinations do not have a comment period, but that doesn’t mean the city hasn’t heard from the community. The two projects are among the more hotly contested development proposals in the city.

There has been neighborhood opposition to the apartment proposals on Hicks Lake, including on this city of Lacey project notice sign. Over the summer, someone had crossed out the image and wrote “nope.”
There has been neighborhood opposition to the apartment proposals on Hicks Lake, including on this city of Lacey project notice sign. Over the summer, someone had crossed out the image and wrote “nope.” rboone@theolympian.com Rolf Boone

Neighbors have gone so far as to launch a website called Save Hicks Lake and there’s a GoFundMe account to raise money for legal expenses. As of late last week, it has raised $8,400 toward a $30,000 goal.

Both environmental decisions can be appealed. The appeal deadline for both is 5 p.m. May 4, according to the city.

Both also are set to come before the hearings examiner toward the end of May, Senior Planner Samra Seymour said Thursday.

This story was originally published April 22, 2022 at 5:30 AM.

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Rolf Boone
The Olympian
360-754-5403
Rolf has worked at The Olympian since August 2005. He covers breaking news, the city of Lacey and business for the paper. Rolf graduated from The Evergreen State College in 1990. Support my work with a digital subscription
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