Sean C. Morgan
Of The New Era
Santiam River Development Company will appear before the Sweet Home Planning Commission on Monday, June 5, with a request for a 66-lot subdivision, the first on the east side of the Santiam River Club master plan.
Phil Ordway and Troy Cummins are representing the company in the application.
The subdivision is the second from the master plan to go before the Planning Commission. Dan Desler and Western States Land Reliance Trust received approval on more than 400 lots west of Clark Mill Road last year.
This request is for 69 of the 311 acres owned by Santiam River Development, including land east of Clark Mill along the South Santiam River to Wiley Creek Park and north of the railroad.
This subdivision is located northeast of the north end of Clark Mill Road, north of the old Stock-Tomco Airport overlooking the ponds and river.
About two-thirds of the sites will be in the woods, while one-third will be in open space, Ordway said.
The single-family home sites range in size from 7,162 square feet to 23,916 square feet, with an average of 12,669 square feet. About 36.75 acres will be held in open space, and 12.99 acres will be held for future development.
“We’re aiming toward going to the market place with the first product toward the end of September,” Ordway said. Santiam River Development is hoping to start construction of the infrastructure in spring 2007 with sales beginning in September.
“The home sites themselves will probably average about $225,000,” Ordway said. Total, a new home in this subdivision will cost between $600,000 and $800,000. Some will be higher and lower than that range.
Santiam River Development also hopes to start building the Santiam River Club lodge in spring 2007, Ordway said. The company will probably apply for that building and some condominiums and cottages in the fall or as late as January.
The lodge will provide a variety of functions for residents of the project, including indoor and outdoor dining, a wine cellar for members, a small luxury spa and a general convenience store.
Santiam River Development also has decided to offer up to a couple hundred memberships to non-residents, Ordway said.
“This project’s been awhile in the making,” Ordway said. “We’re really excited to be moving forward with platting and sales. These projects take awhile to get rolling, and they’re kind of exciting when they do.”
“When you get your plat approved and prove up the market and know we nailed it on the head, then it’s time for a celebration,” said a reserved Cummins. The company has had much “great progress,” with many “great consultants,” who are “moving the ball ahead. It’s a lot of work, and we’re pushing it ahead every day.
“We’re obviously hopeful and excited about a project that has a lot of potential to bring a lot of positive finances to the city of Sweet Home,” the city, schools, tax base and economy, but “right now’s the time to keep your head down and stay focused.”
Ordway wanted to stress that Santiam River Development will be looking for local custom builders for the project.
“We’ve had a fair amount of interest from custom builders,” Ordway said.