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Agreement on the table for Black Diamond school sites in YarrowBay development

By DENNIS BOX
Covington Reporter Editor
Oct 21 2009

A tentative agreement involving land and money for schools in YarrowBay’s Black Diamond developments are ready to be presented to the public.

The deal is between Kirkland-based YarrowBay, the Enumclaw School District and the city of Black Diamond. The school district stated in a release a tentative agreement had been reached.

A joint meeting has been scheduled at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Black Diamond Elementary, 25314 Baker St., with the City Council and school board to present the details of the agreement to the public.

YarrowBay is planning two developments in Black Diamond, The Villages located southwest of the city, and Lawson Hills on the eastside. The Villages plan calls for about 4,800 homes on 535 acres and Lawson Hills about 1,250 on 156 acres. Each site would also have areas for commercial development.

Brian Ross, YarrowBay managing partner, said the school district and YarrowBay have been working on a plan for schools for more than two years.

Ross said he it was very important to “provide sites” for schools in the development.

“It is really a win-win for everybody,” Ross said. “The city gets the pride of a new school and ball fields. The school district knows it will have sites for schools and it balances our needs for the community.”

Ross said it was important for the school district to be certain there would be sites for schools and “a certain amount of fees. Schools are a big issue for everyone.”

Important details to consider will be the cost to the school district for the land and the mitigation fees YarrowBay will pay.

Covington Reporter Editor Dennis Box can be reached at dbox@maplevalleyreporter.com or 425-432-1209 ext. 5050.
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