Published May 2003

Village Commons to target seniors, empty-nesters

By Eric Fetters
Herald Business Writer

Lindstrom Development Group is moving ahead with plans to build upscale condominiums at Stanwood-Camano Village after gaining a critical zoning change from the city of Stanwood.

Sol Baron, president of Lindstrom, said the next step is to get design approval for the Village Commons development. He has worked with Stanwood’s Designs Northwest on the proposed look for the $15 million complex, which will include retail and office space on the ground level.

“They’re very excited about the designs produced by Designs Northwest,” Baron said of the city officials who have seen the project’s architectural drawings. “There seemed to be a lot of positive feedback.”

Assuming the process moves along, construction is scheduled to begin in late summer, Baron said. That would make Village Commons ready for new residents by spring 2004.

The complex would include a parking garage, 16,000 square feet of retail or office space and 54 condos surrounding an outdoor courtyard. The building would be south of the Haggen supermarket and not far from the movie theater at Stanwood-Camano Village.

After the complex is built, tentative plans call for two other mixed-used buildings at Stanwood-Camano Village. The 55-acre property on Stanwood’s east end, first developed by the Lindstrom Development Group in the mid-1990s, hosts about 50 businesses and an assisted-living center.

Adding a mixed-use building to the largely commercial area was not allowed under Stanwood’s comprehensive plan and zoning regulations. So, after public hearings in March, Stanwood City Council members approved a change to the comprehensive plan to allow mixed-use buildings in the Village area.

Related changes to the city’s zoning code still need final approval, said Stephanie Cleveland, Stanwood’s community development director. She added that Village Commons would be unique for the city.

“It’s very unusual to have a project like this in such a small market,” Cleveland said. “So for that reason, we’re excited about it.”

Lindstrom plans to market Village Commons primarily to seniors and empty-nesters, Baron said.

“Our demographic up here is comprised of people who have relocated from the Eastside, Seattle and California and who don’t want to move as they get older.”

Even without aggressively marketing the condos, Baron said he has already received 12 reservations. Prices for the units will range from $175,000 and up for a one-bedroom condo to more than $240,000 for units that have two bedrooms and a den, according to Lindstrom.

Baron said he thinks residents will be attracted to the development’s upscale features, enclosed courtyard and its convenience, with shopping, doctor’s offices and other services already in Stanwood-Camano Village.

“We have the amenities, we’re just missing the housing,” he said.

Village Commons is just one of the large housing developments being planned in the fast-growing northwest corner of Snohomish County. The Warm Beach Senior Community recently announced plans for a $26 million addition that would include 100 townhouses and apartments.

Related: Shannon Glen designed for 55-and-older crowd

Related: Senior-housing demand grows as population ages

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