Council approves Turner Farm phase 1 zoning for northern pods, requires amenities and water‑rights agreement

Washington City Council on June 25 approved a partial zone‑change (Z‑25‑16) that allows Turner Farm Phase 1 to proceed with Pod 1 (build‑to‑rent townhome area) and two northern Pod 2 subareas, but held off on lots near a natural spring and attached the council’s conditions to protect city infrastructure and require future water‑rights arrangements.

The council voted unanimously after more than an hour of discussion about amenities, road construction and the farm’s spring water. The council’s approval covers Pod 1 and Pod 2A/2B only; the parcels around the spring (labelled Pod 2C in staff exhibits) were excluded from the approval and will be considered later. The motion was made by Councilman Stewart E. Ballard (motion text recorded at the meeting) and seconded by Councilman Ryan D. Coates; roll call indicated a 5–0 approval.

The project before the council seeks to convert about 24.53 acres of previously approved PUD residential land into a conceptual plan that shows a mix of build‑to‑rent units, “next‑gen” housing and single‑family lots. Under the approved portion, Pod 1 is proposed as a build‑to‑rent product of 135 units (about 11.9 dwelling units per acre) with amenities such as a clubhouse, pool and dog park; the northern Pod 2 portion includes “next‑gen” homes and traditional single‑family lots.

Why it matters: Council members said they supported the concept for the north end of the development but raised multiple implementation concerns that could affect livability and city services — especially water supply and timing of required amenities. Several council members pressed for firm commitments that amenities be completed early enough for residents and that the city not be left with unplanned…