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City, Developer Turn 40 Lots Into 8

    From 40 to 8.  A new development on Keene Road will see many fewer houses than originally approved after the City of Umatilla and developer Robert Sangster came to an agreement at the location.
    The Umatilla City Council has approved a plan presented by Sangster and MESH Management Group, LLC to reduce density on 18.6 acres lying just west of SR 19 and south of Keene Road and the Lakeview Terrace community.  Originally approved for 40 homes over a decade ago, the property has lain dormant until now, with the new owners converting to a site plan that includes five one-acre lots, two six-acre lots, and one two-acre lot.  
    Decreased density has been a hallmark of Umatilla’s development strategy in recent years, with the city regularly pushing developers to seek larger lots and fewer homes.
    Speaking to the Umatilla Chamber of Commerce last week, Umatilla City Manager Aaron Mercer reiterated the city’s stance on development, and stated that that goal is for new development to be no more dense than three units per acre.  
    The Keene Road property represents the last large-scale, higher density development that was approved before the financial crash in 2008 which remained undeveloped.  Other developments, one on Pine Street and another on CR 450SE had previously been tweaked to lower densities and are currently underway.