RSSToscanna redux wins over opposition
Housing development in west Yakima ready to proceed with scaled-back designYakima Herald-Republic
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YAKIMA, Wash. -- Toscanna 2.0 appears to be a go.
The west Yakima housing project received support from opponents of last year's initial proposal during a lightly attended hearing before a land-use official at City Hall on Thursday.
The revised plan calls for a total of 66 common-wall dwelling units on 11 acres in a private gated community near Castlevale Road and Seattle Slew Run, west of 40th Avenue.
It's a far cry from the earlier plan, which included 184 units in duplexes and apartments across the 30-acre site. Neighbors challenged the proposal as incompatible with the upscale single-family residential neighborhood nearby, and the plan was ultimately rejected by the Yakima City Council early this year.
The new Toscanna development would be a gated community featuring 33 common-wall units with two single-family dwellings in each unit.
Two people who opposed the earlier plan told Hearing Examiner Pro Tem Pat Spurgin they support the new proposal.
"I applaud the Toscanna development group. I like it," said Sonny Cooper, a resident of 905 Conestoga Way.
He described the development as a good transition from the nearby mobile home park to the single-family residential neighborhood to the west.
Cooper's only request was that evening construction hours be restricted to minimize the noise impact on neighbors.
A representative of the developer, Envizage Development Group of Yakima, told the hearing examiner late-evening construction is unlikely.
Ron Hatfield, who lives at 829 Conestoga Way, told Spurgin he's also happy with the new development.
"I wish we had done this the first time," he said.
Rick Wehr of PLSA Engineering of Yakima, speaking on behalf of the developer, said development of the remaining 19 acres of the property will be put off until a later date.
He said single-family homes are not being considered at this time because of poor market conditions.
Spurgin said he will issue his recommendation within 10 days. He did not indicate how he will rule in the case. But with no opposition, the recommendation is likely one for approval.
* David Lester can be reached at 509-577-7674 or dlester@yakimaherald.com.
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