Developer seeks flexible commercial buildout for 42‑acre North Quarter; commissioners direct deed amendment drafting

Melissa Wells, representing Lakeside Companies, presented the board on Aug. 12 with an updated plan for a 42‑acre site north of Farwell Street called the North Quarter. Wells described a mixed‑use community with over 10.15 acres designated for commercial uses, more than 13.5 acres of open space and a combination of for‑sale townhomes, senior cottages and an assisted‑living cluster.

Wells said the applicant is asking the county to amend deed restrictions placed on the property when it was sold in 2020 so Lakeside can ‘front‑load’ the commercial development — building the required retail and service acreage early in the project rather than distributing smaller commercial parcels across each development phase. She said the requested change would not reduce the overall commercial acreage required by the deed; it would only allow the developer to build the commercial portions earlier in the phasing schedule.

Commissioners and county staff discussed the original public policy reason for the sale and deed restrictions: to spur retail and revenue‑producing land uses on a parcel being surplused by the county. Commissioner discussion touched on the balance between affordable housing, senior services and sales‑tax generating commercial uses. Commissioner French praised the project as “class‑A” senior housing and supported the front‑loading approach; another commissioner asked whether the retail shown would generate the county sales taxes envisioned at time of sale.

After discussion, the board directed county civil counsel to work with Lakeside’s legal counsel to draft the requested revisions to the quitclaim deed language and return the revised deed for board consideration. County staff said legal counsel has already reviewed draft language and that the deed amendment package is ready to be placed on a future legislative consent agenda once the board signals final approval.

County staff also confirmed the amended deed will be prepared in a form that covers the full 42‑acre parcel and will list the board collectively as the grantor. Commissioners asked for two additional weeks before formal action so they could ask follow‑up questions of the county treasurer and staff about fiscal impacts. Legal staff said the revision would not reduce the total required commercial acreage and that the deed change should not affect consideration paid at the time of sale.

Action taken: board directed civil counsel to draft the deed‑restriction amendment as presented and return it to the board for consideration on the legislative agenda.