The development of a new 21.5 acre subdivision on Sunnyside Hill will proceed despite opposition from community members.

The area located south of Southwest Sundance Court and east of Southwest View Drive will be divided into 79 lots for future construction, including apartment complexes and public streets, according to plans by KIP Development, the developer.

Craig Cole, a resident of Southwest Sundance Court, pointed out issues associated with the potential isolation of the new subdivision at a May 10 hearing at City Hall.

“It seems like it will cost the school district and the city of Pullman more than what is going to be brought in,” Cole said. “It seems like development on Military Hill is much more appropriate for the city of Pullman.”

Further concerns include overdevelopment of Sunnyside Hill and overcrowding of Sunnyside Elementary School, where the ratio of students to teachers is 22-to-1, Cole said. Due to past developers not putting in promised sidewalks for children to walk to school, concerns about child safety, easements and green spaces were also voiced at the hearing.

Chris Johnson, a resident of Southwest Sundance Court, attacked the project for being based off plans for a preferred route of Golden Hills Drive as approved by the Pullman City Council 19 years ago.

“I would say kudos to the developer,” Johnson said. “The developer has done his due diligence and done his job. I don’t think the city’s done its job. You’re referring to plans developed in 1998.”

Despite testimony from community members, the Pullman Planning Commission approved the subdivision at the May 10 hearing.

Kevin Kirkman, a Pullman developer since 1981 and head of KIP Development, said new developments will affect the entire town despite the subdivision’s location due to increased use of water, sewer and garbage services.

“It doesn’t matter where the growth is in Pullman, it affects the town as a whole,” Kirkman said. “If this [development] was over on Military Hill on the north end, it would still affect the schools [all] the same.”

Kirkman first began plans for this project about nine months ago and said the final plans will not be completed for another 30 to 45 days.

Once the plans are complete, the Pullman City Council must approve them. If approved, KIP Development will begin the approximately three-month process of bidding to decide which construction contractor will complete the project. Once they strike a deal, construction begins, Kirkman said.

Based on this model, Kirkman said the breaking-ground stage for the project will be either late summer or early fall with a completion date in the spring or summer of 2018.