Yelm City CouncilYELM CITY COUNCIL
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is it & Where is it?
Thurston Highlands is approximately 1251 acres located southwest of State Highway 510 and downtown Yelm. This property was annexed into the City in 1994, and zoned for a Master Planned
Community.
The proposal includes both single family, and multi-family residential development, parks, recreational facilities, schools, shopping and other amenities.
The City has required an Environmental Impact Statement, and is currently working with agencies and the public to solicit comment.
What are you going to do about traffic?
We know that the development will extend Tahoma Boulevard that begins at Killion Road, and extend southwest through Tahoma Terra and Thurston Highlands to connect to State Highway 507,
south of George Road. The Environmental Impact Statement process will also identify other traffic impacts, and mitigation measures to accommodate the additional traffic.
Do you really want all these new people to move here?
The Washington State Growth Management Act requires the City to plan for Urban Growth. Urban growth within the City achieves GMA requirements by providing infrastructure for higher
densities of population, which also protects the rural areas.
Where is everybody going to work?
The Thurston Highlands will provide employment opportunities with the creation of commercial development, as well as future commercial development within the City. Yelm is a central
location for employment both in Thurston and Pierce Counties.
Who’s gonna pay for all the city improvements required?
City regulations require that the development pay its “fair share” to provide infrastructure such as water, sewer, police, fire, parks, etc. The Environmental Impact Statement will
identify the needed improvements, and provide mitigation measures to complete the required improvements.
Why the LID to pay for roads that are required by this development?
There is already the need to improve Yelm Avenue West (SR 510), and many commercial businesses along Yelm Avenue West (SR 510) have deferred requirements for improvement of this street,
including the School District. The LID allows for the improvement of this section of Yelm Avenue West (SR 510) now as one project, as opposed to small pieces being constructed at different
times. The Tahoma Boulevard portion of the LID is mainly covered by the Tahoma Terra Project.
How will the schools cope?
To accommodate additional students who live in Thurston Highlands, new schools will need to be built either within the Master Planned Community or mitigation requirements will be identified
and implemented elsewhere in the City.
Do you really want a new downtown, and how will this affect local businesses?
The commercial portion of this development is intended to provide local commercial opportunities, to serve the convenience needs of the community, and to also provide other areas of
possible commercial, for example, there may be opportunity for sporting goods stores near a regional sports complex. The commercial areas are not intended to replace any existing commercial.
The retail trade study shows that Yelm has a need for additional commercial sales that are currently being purchased outside of Yelm.
What about wildlife?
We know there is wildlife and environmentally sensitive areas located on the site. The City will be working closely with agencies such as the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife,
Washington Department of Natural Resources, and the Washington State Department of Ecology to identify the impacts, and how to best mitigate them.
What about the creek?
Thompson Creek is not a part of this project, and is located within the Tahoma Terra development. That development is protecting the creek and its flood zone areas by designating and
protecting that area as open space.
How can I learn more? Visit the project website at www.thurstonhighlands.com or the City of Yelm website at www.ci.yelm.wa.us.