Tahoma Terra HOA
City of Yelm
Community Development Department
105 Yelm Avenue West
Yelm, WA 98597
Pre-Application Meeting
January 9, 2013
These comments are preliminary in nature and are not intended to represent final comments and or requirements for the City of Yelm. Until a complete application is made, the Community
Development Department can only attempt to inform the applicant of general requirements as they appear in the form presented by the applicant at the time of pre-submission.
Proponent: Tahoma Terra Homeowners Association (Beth Harris)
Project Proposal: Dedicate parks in Tahoma Terra to the City of Yelm
Property Background and Characteristics
Tahoma Terra is a Master Planned Community of approximately 220 acres in Yelm. The Conceptual Master Plan was approved by the City Council in 2005 along with a Final Master Plan for
phase I, being the portion of the property located east of Thompson Creek. The Final Master Plan for phase II was approved in 2006.
Currently, the majority of phase I is built, with 215 single family dwellings in two subdivisions and an apartment complex of 48 units. Remaining to be constructed is a small commercial
area. Phase I also includes a community park and walking trails through the open space along Thompson Creek.
Phase II is partially developed, with a 200 lot subdivision approved and being built within and a second subdivision with preliminary approval. Remaining to be developed is approximately
700 additional multi-family residential units, townhomes, and single family dwellings. Phase II also includes a community park.
In 2006 Doug Bloom, the developer of the Master Planned Community, approached the City to request the community parks within Tahoma Terra be dedicated to the City. City staff from the
Community Development and Public Works Departments reviewed a draft parks transfer agreement from the developer in preparation of taking the agreement to the City Council for their
consideration. Before the Council could consider the matter, the developer lost the property.
Although City staff reviewed the draft agreement, parks within Tahoma Terra were at no time “set to be turned over to the City” as the agreement was never considered by the City Council
and, therefore, the City has not agreed to accept transfer of the parks.
Process
The Yelm City Council may authorize agreements transferring private parks to the City in open session as part of a regular Council meeting agenda. The following steps are necessary
to get to the point of consideration by the Council.
The Homeowners Association would prepare a draft parks transfer agreement and submit it to the Yelm Community Development Department.
Community Development and Public Works staff will review the proposed agreement and suggest any changes necessary from the staff’s perspective to ensure the City’s interests are protected.
City staff comments on the previous proposed agreement may serve as an indication of the concerns that may arise.
Once the agreement is edited by the Homeowners Association to reflect City staff comments, the Community Development Department will schedule the matter for Council consideration at
a regular Council meeting. A staff report will be prepared which outlines the Council’s options, analyzes the benefits and responsibilities to the City, and may recommend the Council
approve or disapprove the agreement.