‘In complete agreement’

Published 9:00 pm Saturday, September 25, 2004

EVERETT – Despite its close proximity to the major intersection of 41st Street and Rucker Avenue, Camberly at Forest Park offers potential buyers the sights and sounds of nature.

The 12-acre, 38-lot subdivision now under construction on 46th Street SE will include a pond and nature trail with informative plaques.

Additionally, developer R&D Parkcreek LLC will dedicate more than half of the acreage – untouched – back to the city for inclusion in Forest Park’s boundaries.

“It’s one of those few times when the city and developers are in complete agreement,” said R&D partner Bob Porter. “In return for the dedication, we were allowed a little heavier density in the part of the land where it’s safer and makes more sense to build, and we agreed to take the the sensitive part of the site and basically stay completely away from it.”

The city began, in 1998, using the cluster subdivision classification to allow developers more flexibility with unusual sites, while assuring quality, compatability with neighbors and sensitivity to the environment, said Everett senior land use planner Don Woods.

He added that the city works on one or two cluster subdivisions a year. Redwood Park on 27th Avenue SE and Donegal Lane, off 25th Avenue SE are two older examples of cluster subdivisions.

Camberly at Forest Park, which is just east of the park, posed two particular challenges. Pigeon Creek No. 1 runs along part of the acreage on its way to Port Gardner Bay and enjoys protected status as part of an environmentally sensitive area.

Additionally, much of the property is hilly terrain.

The developers worked with the city to make the best use of the land while protecting Pigeon Creek No. 1. The cluster sub-division classification requires city approval of each lot and floor plan before building permits can be issued.

“Each unit is designed for each lot and takes into consideration the unique features of the site, such as, in this case, the natural environment,” Woods said. “This was a very changeling site that would have been very difficult to develop with a traditional subdivision.”

As a result, the 3,000-5,000 square-foot lots have a unique terrains, said sales agent Cristi Porter.

“Rather than flattening the landscape, the foundations were built into the hillside,” she said.

Potential buyers can choose from four models, 10 floor plans and 10 vertical variations. The homes will have either three bedrooms with two-and-a-half bathrooms or four bedrooms with three-and-a-half-bathrooms.

All will have two-car garages, small fully landscaped yards and high-end interior touches.

“The builder is using quality materials – not standard builder grade – as part of the standard package,” Cristi Porter said. “For example: hardy plank siding, high-definition architectural composition roofing, and hard wood and laminate floors.”

Additionally, she said the floor plans offer a variety of lifestyle options, with separate spaces provided for work, play and sleep.

While all are three-story plans, the bedrooms and common spaces are grouped differently, and potential buyers will have custom options.

Cedar Hill Investment Corp., led by William Porter, is acting as construction manager over several local contractors.

The development’s lots are arranged around a split cul-de-sac, facing Forest Park. The pond, 300-foot nature trail, a gazebo and a playground all will part of Camberly’s private park.

The trail will not connect with Forest Park facilities, but the park’s entrance is minutes away, as are bus stops, shopping and services.

“It’s really a kind of unique situation,” Bob Porter said. “I think people will be pleased with the rural feel so close in.

Kristin Fetters-Walp is a freelance writer from Lake Stevens.