Planning commission approves design-review recommendation for Acres of Diamonds family renewal home

The Duvall Planning Commission on July 8 approved a design-review recommendation for the Acres of Diamonds family renewal home (SPR25-1), a proposed three-story, 21,153-square-foot mixed-use facility intended to expand transitional housing capacity for women and children.

"We're happy to present the Acres of Diamonds family renewal home project this evening," architect Rick Tessmore said during the commission's presentation. Tessmore described plans to demolish an existing 3-story apartment building with deferred maintenance and to replace it with a new 3-story building designed to house up to 24 families on the same campus, with a longer-term campus capacity of about 35 families.

Tessmore walked the commission through the site plan and building sections: the project includes infant/toddler and preschool rooms on the lower level to meet Department of Early Learning requirements, shared living and dining spaces, a commercial-style kitchen with multiple workstations, a central common walkway and play areas, an elevator, and exterior frontage improvements. The site plan provides 21 parking stalls including three ADA-accessible spaces and dedicated trash-and-recycling enclosures; fire-department access has been coordinated with staff.

Commissioners asked about site security and access-control options; Tessmore said some access details (locks or fob systems) remain to be finalized as the design is further developed. After questions, a commissioner moved and the commission approved the design-review recommendation; staff will forward the record and recommendation to the city hearing examiner for the next step in the review process.

The recommendation was approved by voice vote; the chair stated the motion was approved.