A proposal to build the first housing community in North Bend in 14 years, 70 homes on 18 acres in the Tanner annexation area of North Bend, looks set to move ahead.

Tanner Wood developer John Day Homes is currently waiting for approval to subdivide three parcels into 70 separate parcels.

Owner John Day has received a number of letters from citizens concerned about the property’s zoning. However, he said zoning was set before the property was annexed. The property is already in the city’s urban growth boundary.

“Everything in the boundary has gone through the city’s comprehensive planning process and zoning has already been determined,” he added.

Day will be building to the minimum density even though 70 homes may seem pretty dense, he said. Washington’s Growth Management Act sets the minimum density developer in an urban growth area at four homes to the acre.

“It’s the fewest number of homes we can build on that 70 plots and still be in compliance with the Growth Management Act,” Day added.

Day also plans to build a 25-foot elk corridor on the property, allowing animals to move freely.

Adjacent to the area is also another 40 acres, which, Day said, if developed could also add to the neighborhood elk corridor. The development will build single family homes that will average around 3,000 square feet each and range from $400,000 to $500,000 in cost.

After a plat approval decision is made by the city, engineering and design work for the development begin, said Jamie Burrell, senior planner for North Bend. Comment period ended Dec. 2.

The city will hold a hearing in January to review the process and staff’s recommended approval. The hearing examiner will then render a decision.

“What we’re proposing complies with all current city requirements,” Day said. “We’re hoping to start construction in April of 2010 and have our first home available by January 2011.”

This will be the first housing community in North Bend since 1995.