Olympia Hearing Examiner Mark Scheibmeir approved a new residential development project, known as the "Lister Glen Subdivision," with modified conditions in a decision signed on Dec. 5.
The proposed plan for the project at 2020 Lister Road NE aims to transform 4.77 acres of land into a community of 24 single-family residences. The plan includes improving accessibility throughout the area by constructing a new public road, named Blue Vista Way.
The development would extend Lister Road southward to connect with Blue Vista Way and continue further to link with Cherry Blossom Drive. Additionally, Blue Vista Way would connect to Beaumont Drive, which in turn will provide access to Surrey Drive.
The Lister Glen Subdivision, located at the border of Olympia city limits and Thurston County, has received approval from the city's hearing examiner after various factors, including environmental concerns, traffic flow and neighborhood integration, were considered.
City planner Casey Mauck stated the proposal is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan's goals for land use, urban design and transportation.
The project faced some opposition from residents. Heather May shared concerns of the local homeowners association members, saying that the project will open the connection between Surrey Drive and the new Blue Vista Way via Beaumont. She preferred Beaumont to remain blocked to vehicular traffic, as Surrey is effectively a one-lane street with limited capacity for additional traffic.
Mauck explained that this requirement was imposed when the adjoining subdivision was approved and will serve a critical role in improving emergency response access as well as overall improved traffic flow. The city staff believed that this project may reduce traffic on Surrey, as it would result in several new alternate for the neighborhood's traffic via Lister Road NE and Cherry Blossom Drive NE.
While an offsite wetland exists to the west of the project, both the wetland and its buffer lie outside the development area. The city has imposed conditions to protect this wetland, including restricting improvements to Cherry Blossom Drive NE to previously developed areas.
Additional comments received via email from Mercy Kariuki-McGee, Elisa Nyambura McGee and Matthew McGee, all of whom reside on Cherry Blossom Drive, expressed concern over the project's impact on local wildlife and vegetation, taking into consideration its proximity to Woodard Creek. The commenters proposed that Lister Road NE not be extended to Cherry Blossom as to avoid any greater environmental impacts on the Woodard Creek ecosystem.
However, the applicant submitted a Wetland and Fish and Wildlife Habitat Assessment, which declares there are no federal, state or locally important habitats or species identified on-site. The city confirmed that Woodard Creek, located 1,000 feet away from the property, is protected by an existing wetland buffer, and conditions prohibit encroachment into this buffer.
The hearing examiner also addressed concerns about parking, landscaping and fencing. He noted that the project proposes no street parking along Blue Vista Way.
At the same time, city standards require only a 0.5 parking stall per lot. This suggests the project could be developed with less than one parking stall per residence. Scheibmeir sought assurance that at least one parking space would be available per residential unit.
Scheibmeir also observed that the site plans do not provide clear evidence that the trees are required for the project. Mauck confirmed that street trees will be required per the city's design standards.
Ivana Halverson, an applicant for the project, confirmed that the development envisions 10-foot sidewalks and includes street trees. She also assured that each lot will have at least one parking stall and that the larger residences will have garages with parking available for two vehicles.
About the fencing, the hearing examiner asked whether fencing would be required along any of the project's perimeters. Mauck explained that fencing currently exists along portions of the south boundary, as well as some of the north boundary but the city is not requiring additional fencing as a condition of project approval.
Scheibmeir acknowledged residents' concerns about potential environmental and traffic impacts.
"However, that requests to deny or greatly reduce its development to more fully protect flora and fauna would effect an unconstitutional taking or private property for public purpose," Scheibmeir said.
He added the proposed street connections align with the city's declared goals for connectivity and are consistent with how surrounding neighborhoods were developed.
"I also concluded that developing Lister Road NE/Cherry Blossom Drive NE connection will not result in increased environmental degradation subject to the conditions imposed by city staff — prohibiting the expansion of the Cherry Blossom improvement into adjoining wetland buffer," said Scheibmeir, adding "the project satisfies all requirements for subdivision approval."
Scheibmeir approved the project with eight conditions recommended by city staff and three additional conditions, including:
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