Three Lakes Crossing development in Tumwater could create 45 new homes

Development of the Three Lakes Crossing property in Tumwater is in consideration for approval. This development would create 45 homes. Copper Ridge, LLC based in Puyallup is the applicant for this project which was reviewed by Tumwater’s Hearing Examiner yesterday.

Alex Baruch, an associate planner for the city of Tumwater introduced the project as, “A request to subdivide 9.6 acres into 45 single family lots with associated infrastructure, storm water, open space and wetland protection.”

Like all neighborhood development, this would include new roads, water, and bus stops. All the utilities will be laid under the ground as per regulations. According to Baruch, the plans are consistent with the water comprehensive plan, recreation plan, transportation plan, the regional trail plan and sustainable development plan for the region.

Evan Mann, South Built Homes representing Copper Ridge, LLC, “There's an existing plat that was just developed to the west and we'll be connecting through their plat out to Henderson Boulevard. One of the items that we're going to be doing as part of this plat will be extending the 16-inch water main in Henderson Boulevard, about 300 feet to the south.”

Copper Ridge is working with the city to share the cost of the oversized water main as is allowed by state law, as the typical water main for that size of plat is usually an 8-inch main. Mann stated, “There's a cost difference there between the eight inch and the 16 inch. And so we'll just seek compensation for …the cost difference between the two. And so we've actually submitted that estimate to the city.”

“The intent of the allocation of plats on this land is for an efficient use of the land where the development regulations will allow,” said Alex Baruch. Some of the lots will have a width of less than the prescriptive 50 feet, with none that less than 40 feet.

Currently there are two homes and a business building on the site that will be demolished to make way for construction.

The wetland to the south of the development has been planned with what was described as an adequate buffer to keep the wetland safe.

There are trees that will have to be taken down, so the plan is to plant 210 trees in a 3 to 1 ratio to meet the requirements. The preliminary landscape plan has been submitted.

It has been verified by their biologist that there are no oaks and no sightings of endangered pocket gophers that are known to be in the area. Which, as observed by Mann, is a stroke of luck for their project.