The city of Vancouver’s annexation of 33.69 acres near Orchards triggers the next step in a large mixed-use development known as Fifth Plain Creek Station.
The parcel, located along Northeast Fourth Plain Boulevard between Ward Road and Northeast 156th Avenue, was annexed by the Vancouver City Council on July 2.
Annexations have become uncommon because the city is without an annexation blueprint since the city had to lay off its annexation planner after the recession. Annexations are driven by property owner request, not by the direction of the council.
Hurley Development plans to construct 358 units and 51,400 square feet of commercial space at Fifth Plain Creek Station. The residential units would consist of 62 single-family homes, 152 townhomes and 144 apartments. The two-story townhomes are expected to cost about $250,000 and the single-family houses would cost $370,000.
Prior to the annexation hearing, the city council approved zoning changes for the site to allow for commercial and residential development. Those changes went into effect once the annexation was finalized. The northern 80 percent of the property is marked for high-density residential, while the southern section along Fourth Plain Boulevard is zoned for commercial.
The annexation was approved with little fanfare, aside from public concern about future development plans.
Residents were mostly concerned with the potential for increased traffic in the area given the initial project proposal.
Inna Kulik, a resident in the neighborhood, said she believes the proposal to include a street connecting the housing to Fourth Plain Boulevard is unsafe.
“It’s not going to be safe for kids,” Kulik said.
She was joined by fellow neighbors Elnora Grant and Dawn Olney speaking against the proposal.
“Most families in our neighborhood have three kids at least,” Grant said.
Olney added that traffic is already heavy in the area.
“When you add 385 homes connected to that, it’s going to be a fiasco,” she said.
Their concerns were heard by council, but the hearing was only to consider annexation.
City staff said the next step is forming a development agreement once the application has been submitted. At that point, the public can comment on the proposed plans and the city will consider issues like road access and pedestrian safety.
Staff is also recommending the development agreement preclude any commercial development that provides limited employment opportunities, such as storage or parking.
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