Granite Flats: 214-unit apartment application
A four-building, 214-unit apartment project on the old quarry site is in design review; the next public meeting is August 12.
What is happening
Redtail Development has applied to build 214 apartments in four 5-story buildings on the reclaimed quarry site off Granite Road, with 22 units reserved as affordable at 60% of area median income for 50 years. The project is in design review — the stage where massing, facades, and site layout get public scrutiny. The Design Review Board meets on it August 12.
Why it might matter
At 214 units this is the largest single housing project in town history — equal to about 2 years of Alder Creek's typical housing production. Design review is the last stage with meaningful public input; after approval, later permits are administrative. Traffic, the Granite Road/Main intersection, and tree retention on the site's east edge are the live questions.
What is known
- Application PLN-2026-0098 was deemed complete May 14 (city permit portal).
- 22 units restricted at 60% AMI for 50 years, recorded via covenant (application, sheet A-002).
- The traffic study assigns intersection improvements at Granite/Main to the developer (left-turn signal, estimated $850K).
- Design Review Board meeting: August 12, with public comment taken in person and in writing.
Still uncertain
- Whether the tree ordinance (in progress) will apply — it depends on which is finalized first, and the ordinance's draft vesting language is ambiguous.
- Rents for the market-rate units; the developer has not published a range.
- Timing of the intersection signal relative to occupancy — the condition says "prior to certificate of occupancy" but allows a bond-out.
Open questions are listed on purpose. Treat certainty claims you see elsewhere against this list.
Who or what may be affected
People looking for rentals
214 units, including 22 income-restricted, in a market with a 2% vacancy rate.
Granite Road residents
Construction traffic for ~20 months, then roughly 1,200 added daily trips at the Main St intersection.
East-edge neighbors
The application proposes removing 31 of 47 significant trees on the eastern buffer; the draft tree ordinance would require more retention if adopted first.
Thoughtful actions available
Comment on design specifics
Written comment · 30 minutes · by Wed, August 12
Design review responds to concrete points: massing, the east tree buffer, ground-floor treatment, pedestrian routes. "Too big" carries less weight than "the Granite Rd frontage needs a sidewalk connection to the bus stop".
Draft this with helpAttend the August 12 board meeting
Show up · an evening · by Wed, August 12
The board discusses the project with the architect in public. Comment slots are 3 minutes.
Sources
- Permit recordApplication PLN-2026-0098 (permit portal)
Published Thu, May 14
- Staff reportTraffic impact analysis (Granite Flats, rev. 2)
Published Wed, June 10
- Public noticeNotice of design review meeting
Published Fri, June 26
Demo sources link to placeholders. Live connectors carry real document links — see the Live data page.