LANGLEY — The developers of Langley’s least favorite development, The Grove on Coles Road, are working on improving the popularity of the beleaguered housing project.
Bellingham-based Pacific Crest Partners, the developers of the controversial 24-lot residential subdivision, said Monday they are considering adding an arts center and an affordable housing component as part of the company’s peace offering to the community.
Bob Libolt, planner and designer at Pacific Crest Partners, said the company has not abandoned the project.
Instead, they have hired Langley architect and community planner Ross Chapin to rework their plans.
“Chapin is working on a different master plan for the project to better address the different interests within the community,” Libolt said.
Chapin could not be reached for comment.
Any changes to the project have to go through the public process, which includes the chance for the community to review revisions to the construction plan. However, the developers hope to get the process underway soon.
“We hope the new plan will be approved by the end of the year,” Libolt said.
The city gave the green light to the residential subdivision on Coles Road in 2005. Last October, the developers of The Grove said they wanted to almost double the number of lots in the new neighborhood because the existing plan wasn’t penciling out.
The company proposed to carve
46 lots out of the property, nearly double the amount originally approved by the city.
In early November, though, people packed city hall to protest the proposed changes to The Grove. The city council followed their lead and rejected the proposed changes.
The developers then decided to rework their plans and said they would approach the city at a later time.
“What we’ve heard from the city and community, the project lacks more of a community element. It could be an arts center, it could be affordable housing,” Libolt said.
Sui Generis, a group wanting to establish a community-based facility that is equipped for apprenticeship training in the arts, and the Island County Housing Trust had expressed interest in becoming part of the development.
The trails and open space portion of the project will stay untouched, Libolt said.
He did not say if the company wants to add more homes and, if so, how many.
Though the project has been at a standstill for more than a year, the developers are still within the deadline to complete the project set by the city.
Langley city planner Larry Cort said Pacific Crest Partners have until September 2008 before their already approved preliminary plat will expire. City officials are also waiting for more details.
“The city has received nothing in the way of new or revised paperwork or applications from the Grove developers,” Cort said.
“The applicants have three years from the preliminary plat approval, which occurred on Sept. 7, 2005, to submit for final plat approval,” he said.
The project — originally a mix of clustered residential housing, open space and public and private trails on a 40-acre property — was the target of trenchant criticism from the start. Many in Langley remember when the property was clear cut.
Pacific Crest Partners acquired the property after completing an 18-month process to annex the land into the city of Langley.
While construction of a public and private trail system and rough grading for the project is completed, Pacific Crest Partners wants to modify the layout of the subdivision before installing infrastructure.
When the property was annexed, development of the site was limited to 24 single-family homes. The city also required that 30 acres be left as open space.
To make changes now, the annexation agreement would have to be amended.
Michaela Marx Wheatley can be reached at 221-5300 or mmarxwheatley@south
whidbeyrecord.com.
