It looks like a large-scale development that could change the look and the feel of downtown Oak Harbor may go forward.

It’s been a year since submitting a site plan application to the city, but a Bellingham-based developer says a large mixed-use development planned for downtown is no longer stalled.

“It’s a great project,” said Fred Flemming of Bayshore Development Company, LLC. “It will be a great benefit to the city, a real addition to the downtown area.”

The site, an empty parcel next to Mi Pueblo, has been targeted for development for years by both the city and private groups, with such ideas as a hotel or convention center in mind.

The city recently issued a mitigated determination of non-significance for an environmental checklist Flemming submitted for the project. Mitigation includes aesthetic design, traffic management and view protection. The determination is final unless an appeal is made by June 15.

Though the project will undoubtedly have a significant impact on water views downtown, Flemming said he mitigated that impact with an open and public pedestrian mall flowing through the middle of the project. The mall extends from Jensen Street to the water and the waterfront trail.

Flemming said he submitted images to the city which show exactly how the project will impact views and the skyline.

Local architect Terry LeDesky has long advocated protecting views in the city, but he doesn’t see a problem with this particular development. He said it’s healthy, both economically and aesthetically, to have a mix of different sized buildings, as well as both commercial and residential development downtown.

“It’s an inviting development,” he said. “It’s nice to have the mix, the variety.”

The 226,000-square-foot development will consist of upscale townhomes, luxury penthouses, retail space and covered parking. It’s a giant investment in Oak Harbor.

“We had to refinance our equity capital,” Flemming said. “We are pouring more money into this project than originally anticipated.”

The average height of the pitches roof will be 57 feet and nine inches.

City Development Director Steve Powers explained that development up to 55 feet is allowed in the area if the project meets certain design standards. He said city code allows for slight elevations above that limit if it’s used for inhibitable space, like equipment at the top of an elevator.

The details of the project have changed a little over the last year. The latest site plan calls for less retail space than originally envisioned and more condo footage. The amount of proposed retail will shrink from about 28,000 square feet to 15,867 square feet.

Flemming said the reason for the change is that he no longer wants office space on the second floor along Pioneer Way.

Also, Flemming wants to build residential space on the ground floor along Bayshore Drive. But that’s not allowed under the current zoning, which requires retail on the first floor. Flemming originally asked for a rezone.

Instead, Powers said staff thought it would be better to reconsider overall downtown zoning than to go forward with a site-specific rezone. They came up with a proposal to allow residential uses on the ground floor, but only if it’s part of a mixed-use project with multiple street frontages. It specifically excludes ground-floor residential on Pioneer Way.

The Oak Harbor City Council hasn’t made a decision on any part of the proposal yet.

Flemming believes that more fancy townhomes downtown would be a good thing.

“The more people who live downtown, the more vibrant and alive the downtown,” he said.

You can reach News-Times reporter Jessie Stensland at jstensland@whidbeynewstimes.com or call 675-6611.