Plan to build new housing project north of city hall is restarted

The city of Bainbridge Island has completed its initial environmental review of a proposed project that would turn the former site of a mobile home park on Madrona Way Northeast into a subdivision with 48 townhouses.

The city's planning department said the application for the project was deemed complete on Oct. 3. A 14-day comment period on the environmental review for the project will run through Oct. 26.

The proposal is not entirely new.

The development effort is being led by James Laughlin, the builder of the nearby Madison Cottages. Laughlin submitted an environmental checklist on the proposal to the city in early August on behalf of Madrona Way Investments.

Laughlin is seeking a 48-lot preliminary subdivision of a 1.52-acre parcel at 201 Madrona Way, just north of city hall.

Development of the land has been in the works for years.

Previously called Madrona Cottages, the proposal then included 12 detached cottages and 24 attached cottages, with a second phase of 12 units along Madrona Way, on 1.69 acres of land.

According to documents recently submitted to the city, the new development would have as many as 100 residents. The proposal would include five "affordable" housing units, according to the developer, though the developer also said those homes "will more than likely be owned by the middle income group."

Traffic impacts will be studied as part of an impact analysis commissioned by the city, though it's been estimated the new project will generate fewer than 350 vehicle trips per day.

The project site is a dead-end road, and proponents said the project will include 48 parking stalls and six guest parking spaces.

Contact Bainbridge Island Review Editor Brian Kelly at editor@bainbridgereview.com or 1-206-842-6613.

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