Redmond planning commission denies MonteVista Homes’ proposed curvilinear neighborhood
Tracee Tuesday
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — A major housing proposal in southwest Redmond faced an unexpected setback this week after the Redmond Urban Area Planning Commission voted to deny a new residential project from MonteVista Homes.
The proposal would have introduced a curvilinear-style neighborhood near Southwest Helmholtz Way — a design emphasizing winding, organic streets rather than Redmond’s traditional grid system.
MonteVista Homes CEO Luke Pickerill presented the project as an opportunity to rethink neighborhood design and create a community that feels open and connected to nature.“We’ve gone to great lengths to look inside the windows of the houses and show that everywhere you look in our community, you have a sense of openness — a place people want to call home,” Pickerill said.
Despite that vision, commissioners expressed concerns about traffic flow, pedestrian access, and potential infrastructure costs tied to the nontraditional layout. Those issues ultimately led to the project’s denial after less than 2 hours of discussion.
Pickerill said he was disappointed by the decision. “We had four and a half acres of less street and utility infrastructure that didn’t have to be maintained — land that went to build parks and open spaces,” he said. “And the city said no.”
Redmond Planning Director Kyle Roberts acknowledged the unusual nature of the denial, noting that staff typically work with developers to reach an agreement. “City Planning staff very rarely recommend denial for these sorts of projects,” Roberts said. “In this case, the proposal’s major departure from Redmond’s grid street standard and several other exceptions made it one staff could not support.”
Although the commission’s decision halts MonteVista’s current plan, members indicated the door could remain open for a revised version of the project. They suggested that with more detailed planning, data, and design adjustments, a future proposal might earn approval.