Thurston Highlands Paying for More Than Its Share of Growth

One important step for future development in Yelm is the availability of water. As first reported in the Nisqually Valley News, Yelm council members have approved an agreement with golf course owners Doug Bloom and Steve Chamberlain, the primary parties in the Tahoma Terra and Thurston Highlands master-planned communities. Water currently being used to irrigate the Tahoma Valley Golf Course is being transferred to the City of Yelm to become part of Yelm’s municipal water system. These water rights will accommodate the Thurston Highlands Master Planned Community as well as other upcoming City needs.

“We are pleased to be able to work out this agreement with the City,” said Bloom. “We are happy to be part of a solution that not only makes the Thurston Highlands project viable but also plays a positive role in the City of Yelm’s future.”

All investigatory information for the transfer has been gathered at the developers’ expense and the City hasn’t paid for anything. The City has sought these water rights for about 10 years. As part of the agreement, the water is to be used for general city use, but half must be designated for Tahoma Terra or Thurston Highlands. A second part of the agreement explores the use of reclaimed water to irrigate the golf course.

The Nisqually Tribe and the state Department of Health must also sign off on the rights transfer and reclaimed water agreement.

Road Improvements
A second major investment being covered by Thurston Highlands is the new traffic crossing at Yelm Avenue and Killion Road, as well as the road completion and widening for several blocks in each direction. Killion Road will be extended all the way to the proposed
Yelm bypass, and Yelm Avenue will be improved from 93rd to Collins Road.

Acknowledging that the work being done on the new Master Planned Community could be a strain on the City of Yelm development staff, Thurston Highlands has also agreed to pay for three additional staff members in the department for three years. These additional staff positions are designated to work on projects other than the Thurston Highlands development.

As part of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process, a number of other “impacts” are likely to be identified. Thurston Highlands is expected to pay for mitigation costs for utility lines, sewer treatment facilities, and additional schools, among other items.