Council chilly to Quadrant plans

Published 12:22 pm Thursday, December 11, 2008

By Brian Beckley

The Courier-Herald

The Bonney Lake City Council got its first official look at plans for the 147-acre Washington State University Demonstration Forest as Quadrant Senior Vice President of Corporate Real Estate Wally Costello presented the company's design during an information session at the May 17 council workshop.

Both Costello and members of the council said plans were in the preliminary stages and may be modified in the future.

"This truly is an introduction. That's what we're here for, to get the process started," Costello told the council.

WSU this past fall allowed the forest's ownership to revert to the Weyerhaeuser corporation under a clause placed in the original 1941 deed outlining the forest's uses as for experimental and demonstration purposes only.

Because it is presently zoned public facilities on the future land use element of the city's Comprehensive Plan, the company is seeking a zoning change to allow them to develop the parcel.

Quadrant hopes to break the forest into 30 acres of parks, 30 acres of commercial development and 87 acres of single-family housing. A new intersection on state Route 410 would also be constructed to allow the commercial development to be a Lakeland Hills-style "urban village."

Councilmembers have attacked the plan as not providing enough benefit to the city to warrant approval of the comprehensive plan amendment.

"I'm not seeing how the city would be better off whatsoever with that proposal," Councilman Jim Rackley said. "I don't see any great benefit for the city."

The council has complained that there is not enough park land being deeded to the city as well as stating the density of the residential development - estimated at five to nine dwelling units per acre - is more than city codes allow.

Costello said the drawings are not intended to be a final design, but a first step. The company has always said they will work with the city and public.

"The comp plan amendment is not a development design," he said. "We understand this is a process."

Councilman Mark Hamilton said he is glad Quadrant is being as open as possible, but said the company's plan needs some revision.

"As long as he's willing to work with us, I'll keep an open mind," Hamilton said.

Hamilton said he might be willing to trade an increased density in the residential section for increased open space in the project, though he recognizes that the property belongs to the company.

"It is private property, so you have to take that into account," he said.

Hamilton, who called the forest an "oasis away from everything," also said the city needs more playing fields in the southern part of the city, something he has yet to see added to Quadrant's proposal.

Costello said in a prior interview that an eight-acre section along South Prairie Road designated for open space could be used for the construction of baseball or soccer fields.

Councilmembers have said they may consider not approving the amendment unless Quadrant makes further changes and enhancements to its application.

A public information meeting is scheduled from 5:30 to 7 p.m. June 9 at Mountain View Junior High School, 10920 199th Avenue Ct. E.

Brian Beckley can be reached at bbeckley@cmg-northwest2.go-vip.net/courierherald.