<I>Kathleen Ellyn/Chieftain</I><BR>Developers Keith Wellens and Troy Farwell don't even have time to pose for a photo as Farwell fields a call on his cell. The two stand next to the sign that shows how Phase One of the subdivision will lay out.

Developers won approval for what they claim is a unique subdivision in Enterprise when city councilors gave unanimous thumbs-up to the first phase of the Field Crest Estates subdivision at their Jan. 14 meeting.

The completed subdivision will eventually occupy approximately 13 acres bounded by Highway 3 on the west, Fourth Street on the east, Jim Bane’s field on the north, and will be accessed via Summit Drive on the south. The property lies within the northeast boundaries of the city limits and is zoned R2.

“(Developers) Moffit Wellens Farwell have been working on this for over a year,” said City Administrator Michelle Young, “I think we’re on our way to a really good subdivision.”

The conceptual design for the entire subdivision, Phases 1 through 3, included over 30 homes, but only Phase 1, lots 10 through 17, was approved. There is no lot 16.

Phase 1 is the center of the division and lots will straddle a newly created Claire Street accessed by Summit Drive.

Phase 2 will go easterly toward Fourth Street and Phase 3 will access Highway 3.

Lots are approximately 10,000 square feet and hooked into all city services.

The developers are pleased with both their project and the public response; the first two homes built in the development have already sold and carpenters are at work on a third.

“When we started there were no other new subdivisions proposed in town,” said Keith Wellens. “(And) I don’t think people are building houses like these; we’ve got a Portland architect who is designing in some nice details, some arches, some high ceilings, things that aren’t around (in other new construction). A lot of new houses are boxes.”

Thus far, all planned homes are approximately 2,000 sq. ft. and are priced in the low $200,000’s.

“Our goal was to price these to sell, not price ourselves out of the market,” Wellens said.

Moffit Wellens Farwell are able to sell the houses immediately because they have chosen to bond infrastructure improvements, such as streets, curbs, and water meters. Those infrastructure improvements are currently under construction and are set for completion by June 2008

The $118,368 bond represents 120 percent of the anticipated cost of infrastructure improvements. That additional 20 percent is a hedge against inflation or cost overages, according to City Attorney Roland Johnson. “The purpose of the bond is a guarantee that that work will be completed,” Johnson said. “It guarantees a purchaser (of a lot) that the work will be finished. It’s probably more common to bond subdivisions than not.”