The first cottage housing units in Kent could be popping up next year.
Kent developer Bill Ruth of Renton-based W.E. Ruth Real Estate filed a preliminary plat application in August with the city to build 30 units at 11518 S.E. 240th St., just north of Southeast 240th Street.
Cottage-style housing developments feature small, detached single-family homes clustered around a common open space with garages and parking located away from the homes.
City staff is reviewing the application, said City Planner Katie Heinitz.
“I can’t say yet, there are still some departments that have to review it,” Heinitz said about when the application might move forward. “It could be as early as the next couple of months, but I’m not sure.”
Once city staff reviews the application, they will make a recommendation about the project to Ted Hunter, the city hearing examiner hired by the city as a neutral party to make land-use decisions.
Residents will have a chance to testify about the housing development at a public hearing before the hearing examiner.
“We will issue public notices about the public hearing so people will know about it,” Heinitz said.
If the hearing examiner approves the project, the developer will have the city’s approval to start construction.
J.B. Ruth, project manager for W.E. Ruth Real Estate, said they would like to start building the homes next year but whether that happens depends on the recovery of the economy.
City officials are excited about the project.
“Hopefully, it will be sooner rather than later,” Heinitz said.
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