Are regulations driving development away from the Puget Sound region?
No. But only the more savvy developers who have capable consultants to help them maneuver through the maze of reviews are successful at developing medium to large projects in this region. Triad Associates designed complex grading plans to situate 56 large, neotraditional homes on a sloping site for this subdivision in the Lakemont area of Bellevue. Two significant challenges have confronted our clients in recent years. First is the declining availability of quality properties that can be developed at reasonable costs. More thought has to go into product types that can best be positioned on a site. Second is the increased layering of regulatory requirements, which adds increased costs to land development. Much more work goes into successful development since the implementation of the Growth Management Act. The endangered species listing will add another layer of regulation. All of this points to the critical need for many projects to have up-front site feasibility studies. Q: Are you an
