The Auburn City Council gave Mayor Nancy Backus the go-ahead on Jan. 21 to enter into a development agreement with a Bellevue-based investment company that calls for the latter to build up to 132 units of townhouse housing on Lea Hill near Jacobsen Elementary School.
The draft agreement with Portofino Investments 1 LLC establishes site-specific standards for the long-term development and use of four contiguous parcels southwest of Jacobsen Tree Farm. It proposes private roads twining amid a mix of new triplexes, fourplexes and fiveplexes.
“After much work,” a relieved Backus said after the unanimous vote.
The properties are part of the Copper Creek Open Space Property, which Auburn annexed from the city of Kent as the Bridges development at the beginning of 2023.
Plans call for a minimum target of 107 homes to a maximum of 132 homes that fit the state of Washington’s definition of middle-income housing.
In the agreement, Portofino agrees to make a $1.2 million contribution to the city for a portion of the cost of the design, permitting, and construction of a roundabout at the intersection of 116th Avenue South and Southeast 304th Street.
The draft agreement vests the project in the regulations and standards in place at the time of the application.
Councilmember Kate Baldwin praised the development-to-be for helping address the state’s housing crisis.
“When we think about the housing challenges that the greater region’s been having, this is just exactly what we want to see coming forward,” Baldwin said. “Having these townhouse units, I think, [is] just going to be a great opportunity for families who are just starting out, who maybe need something that is not quite as big as a full, stand-alone house.
“In the townhouse styling they’re projecting,” Baldwin continued, “this is one that tends to have you be closer to your neighbors. It’s great for the community, it’s in a spot that is on our transit lines across from [Jacobsen Elementary School], and there are nice walking trails nearby. I mean, honestly, if I didn’t like my neighborhood, I might have to go take a look.”