Coupeville could see more homes built in the coming years.
The Coupeville Planning Commission Tuesday evening unanimously signed off on a 20-lot subdivision that will be located on an L-shaped strip of land south of Pennington Hill and north of Highway 20.
CAC Land Development Company of Coupeville filed the application for the subdivision on the six-acre property.
The new subdivision, which will be known as Laurens Woods, will help expand the infrastructure in the area.
Town Planner Larry Kwarsick said the subdivision will extend the town sewer system to an area currently served by individual septic systems.
A new lift station would be installed in the southwest corner of the development.
Kwarsick added that a late comers agreement could be worked out for the developer to recoup sewer costs.
The development would also connect several dead end streets, which would give motorists more options for entering and leaving the area.
One concern that came up during the commission’s deliberations was about the visual impact from the highway.
“My concern with this is the scenic view when you come through Coupeville,” commissioner David Day said.
Kwarsick said there are provisions to have a 50-foot buffer on the west side of the development to help shield the homes from the highway.
There is also property between the development and the highway, owned by the National Park Service, that will help act a buffer.
“It will certainly help soften or diffuse what can be seen,” Kwarsick said.
Day was also concerned about the size of the retention pond that will be installed at the southwest corner of the development.
That pond is necessary so stormwater won’t affect neighboring properties.
“We can’t create a development that releases water at an uncontrolled rate,” Kwarsick said.
He said that all homes that would be built in the development would have to go through Design Review Board approval. Those builders would have to look for ways to further mitigate stormwater.
The Planning Commission approved the proposal with Molly McPherson, Chet Baker, David Day and Barbara Cope supporting the proposal.
The plans head to the town council for approval. Kwarsick said that should happen in February.
