Council okays revised conditions for Leeward East

The Council approved some 3-dozen conditions in the Conditional Use Permit for Leeward East after making some changes Monday night.

The Council completely removed requirements detailing how to measure the average height of one large 300-foot long building. The developer objected, saying other provisions in the law would apply. But, Evergreen Islands representative Ross Barnes testified that he was concerned over removing those requirements.

The Council also made other changes after objections from Leeward East, including reducing the proposed impact fee of $1,230 to $615 per single family unit. The lower fee is the usual city fee.

The Council stuck with their earlier decision to require a 20-foot corridor along the east property line for open space and buffer from an access trail. Leeward East’s representative Ron Hoelscher testified that the 20-foot buffer would cost the development as many as 3 house lots. And, he said the requirement is unlawful and violates the developer’s constitutional rights.

The changes that the Council approved came after the Leeward East applicant wrote to the city with their objections. The Council discussed the issues in a closed Executive Session, billed to discuss potential litigation, 2 weeks ago, where City Attorney Brad Furlong recommended going along with most of the Leeward East objections. City Planning Director Ryan Larsen presented the revisions to the Council last night.

Leeward East is a planned unit development with 23 single family homes and 38 condominiums planned for an area east of the WSF ferry landing.