Trillium proposes new Drayton Harbor development

By Mikael Kenoyer

Semiahmoo residents may see a new burst of development north of Drayton Harbor Road, southeast of Drayton Cove, and northwest of Drayton Hillside phase I. Trillium’s Drayton Hillside phase II proposal to use 13.9 acres for 20 single-family lots, 5.4 acres for four multi-family lots, and 21.8 acres for a future residential tract was reviewed in a Blaine planning commission public hearing July 11.

The proposal will need to be modified to meet 29 conditions set forth by the commission’s staff report to move ahead. Jon Syre said that Trillium would gladly comply with most of the conditions, but asked that some discussion on signage and shoreline issues be entertained. Commission chairman Brad O’Neil agreed to hear Syre’s requests at a joint shoreline and land-use committee meeting July 18 at 5:30 p.m.

The floor was opened to the public, and the commission fielded questions regarding potential traffic increase along Drayton Harbor Road, water and sewer system capabilities, and was charged to “implement the finest in environmental stewardship.”

Syre assured residents that according to geotechnical reports, the steep slope of much of the proposed subdivision would not allow any building to encroach upon their property. He said, too, that a trail system would be built for the private community, separate from the public access trail, to ensure the privacy of the development. “I think it would be a mistake if the public would be allowed access to these community areas,” he said. Short of gating the private trails, Syre proposed signage to that effect.

“Hopefully the general public will respect the signs,” he said.

The proposal is part of the 1985 Semiahmoo master plan. A previously approved proposal was thrown out by Syre, who decided to start over. “We started to lay out what we thought was a better plan,” he said. This plan is more focussed on issues of privacy, gives 1.6 acres to open space, and according to Syre, “the roads have been engineered to create the least environmental impact possible.”

If this preliminary plat is approved, Trillium will design and implement the proposal, which will then be subject to final approval by the planning commission. Syre said. “We are very motivated to try very hard to hit this building season,” and asked the commission to expedite the approval process.

O’Neil held the hearing open to give the shoreline and land use committees time to meet and discuss issues he sensed the public would find arduous. He also welcomed Jouko Noso to the planning commission and the shoreline committee. The July 18 joint meeting will be open to the public, but the hearing will not reconvene until July 25 at 7 p.m.. Both meetings will be held in the city hall council chambers. ..

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