Kennewick planners are recommending approval for a proposal to build 27 luxury homes on 23 acres of a larger 50-acre steep slope parcel overlooking the city from the north side of Thompson Hill.
Planning commissioners voted 4-0 to send Jose Chavallo's Citadel Estates project ahead to the city council. But they were uneasy about the potential for land movement in the project area, noting that excessive watering could saturate the soil, making it unstable.
The subdivision would be a gated community with private roads just west of 25th and 26th avenues, with access through Panoramic Heights. The project area lies south of the Creekstone subdivision and south of the Kennewick Irrigation District canal.
The project engineer, Paul Christensen of Oasis Development in Pasco, told commissioners Chavallo would have a foundation design report done for each home.
The subdivision's "conditions, covenants and restrictions" also would address concerns about overwatering.
Commissioners said the developer could find an off-site storm water retention site, but it would have to be identified and obtained before approval is given for the final plat.
Christensen asked that the portion of the property with the steepest slopes, which is being set aside as not buildable, not be designated as such "for perpetuity," as recommended by city planning staff.
The commissioners did not grant the request, noting that from the beginning, the project was represented as having a portion of the hillside land designated as not suitable for development.
City staff's report on the project noted that "(it) may have an impact on the physical and natural beauty of the hills, (but) does not impact the top of Thompson Hill or the upper hillside."
Staff also said the city does not have any regulations prohibiting development on hillsides or hilltops.
The property is designated low density residential, with three to four units per acre.
Planning staff recommended nearly 60 conditions for approving the project, which the commissioners accepted.
The city council will consider the proposal in two weeks.
Similar stories:
Developer pitches redo with Falconcrest project in Richland
Developer pitches redo with Falconcrest project in Richland
RICHLAND -- With a new version of Dallas headed to TV in 2012, perhaps it was only a matter of time before fellow '80s primetime soap Falcon Crest also made a comeback.
Only the Falconcrest soon to be talked about by Richland residents is not a TV show or a movie reboot -- it's a new housing subdivision proposed by developer Milo Bauder for the slopes of what locally is known as the saddle of Badger Mountain.
The Richland Planning Commission tonightwill consider Bauder's proposal for a preliminary plat for Falconcrest, which takes the place of a former application he submitted for The Crest development on the same parcel.
Richland developer pitches redo of project
Richland developer pitches redo of project
With a new version of Dallas headed to TV in 2012, perhaps it was only a matter of time before fellow '80s primetime soap Falcon Crest also made a comeback.
Only the Falconcrest soon to be talked about by Richland residents is not a TV show or a movie reboot -- it's a new housing subdivision proposed by developer Milo Bauder for the slopes of what locally is known as the saddle of Badger Mountain.
The Richland Planning Commission tonight will consider Bauder's proposal for a preliminary plat for Falconcrest, which takes the place of a former application he submitted for The Crest development on the same parcel.
Kennewick City Council to review land use on Thompson Hill
Kennewick City Council to review land use on Thompson Hill
The Kennewick City Council will review six comprehensive plan amendments Tuesday, the most controversial being a proposal to allow commercial use for 20 acres on the upper part of Thompson Hill.
The city planning commission is recommending denying developer Jose Chavallo's request to change the property use from open space and low density residential to commercial.
The city denied Chavallo's request in 2009 and deferred action on it last year.
Kennewick council denies Thompson Hill proposal
Kennewick council denies Thompson Hill proposal
For the second time in three years, the Kennewick City Council rejected developer Jose Chavallo's bid to build a hotel, wine tasting room and spa on Thompson Hill in south Kennewick.
The council voted 5-2 on Tuesday to adopt a city planning commission recommendation to deny changing the land use for Chavallo's 20 acres from low-density residential and open space to commercial.
Chavallo has tried since 2009 to win council favor to build a boutique hotel complex, fine dining restaurant, meeting/ballrooms facility, day spa, wine tasting shops, and small resort related retail shop areas.
Richland planners back Falconcrest
Richland planners back Falconcrest
The Richland Planning Commission in a 4-0 vote Wednesday recommended that the city council approve a new proposal for the ridge of Little Badger Mountain.
There was some question whether a vote by only four members of the nine-member commission was valid, but commissioners were assured because five members were present, the vote was OK.
Commissioners Clifford Clark, Mary Jo Coblentz and Stanley Jones were absent from Wednesday's meeting, and Debbie Burkowitz recused herself from voting on the preliminary plat for Falconcrest, a new development proposed by Milo Bauder to replace previous plans for The Crest development.
Print
Email Story
