The first phase of a proposed 103-unit housing development by U.S. Highway 101 tentatively will break ground this summer on Brownfield Road in the City of Sequim.
Sequim city councilors unanimously approved the major subdivision Bell Hill Estates on June 12 to allow Bill Barnett of Barnett NW Enterprises LLC of Tenino to construct the homes. However, they’ll vote to finalize the project at the city council’s June 26 meeting after seeing its Findings of Fact, Conditions of Approval and Special Conditions of Approval.
The project’s lots range from 6,000 square feet to just over 12,500 square feet in the three phases on 25.66 acres between the highway and Miller Road. The first phase would include 26 homes adjacent to Brownfield Road while the second phase includes building 38 homes in the middle of the property and Phase III brings in 39 homes.
Charisse Deschenes, assistant to the city manager, said Monday that Barnett wants to begin immediately and finish the first phase within a year.
Neil Latta, engineer for the project, said Barnett’s preliminary plant expired last July and with the new application they added phases for smaller builds that are “more palatable for market conditions.”
Tentatively, Phase II would begin in spring 2018 and the third phase in spring 2019, Latta said.
In recent months, nearby residents have voiced various concerns about the project ranging from traffic concerns to density but none were sizable enough to affect the city council’s
vote.
Deputy Mayor Ted Miller said he was surprised there weren’t more traffic provisions in place because the amount of homes going in, but Sequim city engineer Matt Klontz said even after doing a growth project to 2035, there still wouldn’t be a sizable issue because the road’s traffic is so light.
Deschenes also said while the project is large it’s not too dense for the city because it averages 5.8 dwellings per acre, which falls into the city’s allowed 4-8 dwellings per acre rule in the City’s Comprehensive Plan.
Some city residents and councilors also wanted provisions to protect the Roosevelt elk herd that travels through the property.
Deschenes said the city only requires a habitat management plan if a species is threatened or endangered, which the elk are not.
She said a study provided by Barnett states that of the acreage, it makes up 0.1 percent of the herd’s priority area, so “the proposed development won’t adversely them.”
Latta said the discussed a corridor for the elk but it wasn’t feasible.
“We’re building the property in accordance with the zoning and density but not be trying to create a corridor for wildlife in that context,” he said. “We felt it’s not safe or feasible to create that avenue for the elk.”
The City of Sequim’s reports on the project state the site holds no significant archaeological finds or environmental issues, such as wetlands, on the property.
Bell Hill Estates will feature new sidewalks along Brownfield Road and a walking trail on the west side of the development from Brownfield to Miller Road.
Latta said it’s highly probable the path will be made public.
Residents also expressed concern about the lack of sidewalks on Miller Road and in the area, but Deschenes said as the area develops, roadways and sidewalks will be improved and ideally be better connected.
The property’s plans also state its stormwater area will be fenced but the city doesn’t require fencing along the homes to improve aesthetics.
For more on the project visit www.sequimwa.gov and search “Bell Estates.”
Erin Hawkins contributed to this report.
Reach Matthew Nash at mnash@sequimgazette.com.
Neil Latta of Latta Engineering, PLLC, speaks on June 12 at the Sequim City Council about the Bell Hill Estates development. He said the development won’t adversely impact the Roosevelt elk and it will remain well under the needed amount for traffic provisions. Sequim Gazette photo by Erin Hawkins
