Developers withdraw applications for Wyatt Way development

Published 9:56 am Wednesday, April 22, 2009

Plans for a large, mixed-use development on the northeast corner of Wyatt Way and Madison Avenue have been put on hold.

Winslow Holdings, LLC, the company developing the 1.4-acre property, formally withdrew the building permit applications and site plan review amendment application for the site in a letter to the city last month.

According to the letter, signed by Winslow Holdings member Larry Sears, the company will revise the project and submit a new site plan review application under the city’s planned Housing Design Demonstration Projects ordinance.

Winslow Holdings representatives did not return calls this week.

The move has also stalled a legal challenge by the citizen group Save Bainbridge Trees, which had contested the development because it would remove several historic trees on the property.

In December the city Hearing Examiner denied an appeal of the city’s determination of nonsignificance for the project. Save Bainbridge Trees filed an appeal of the Hearing Examiner’s decision in Kitsap Superior Court.

Save Bainbridge Trees attorney Ryan Vancil said the group has dropped the appeal since Winslow Holdings withdrew its project applications. He said he was hopeful the the developers would work with Save Bainbridge Trees as it crafted new plans. But he said the group had heard no guarantees from Winslow Holdings that the trees would be spared in the future.

“We’re pleased that the trees are safe for now,” Vancil said.