New buildings in downtown Camas?

Two new commercial/residential building developments near the heart of downtown Camas are in the pre-application phase of planning, public documents provided by the city indicate. If the projects are built, they will add retail space in the popular business district and increase the residential population of the city's core area. All-new downtown buildings on vacant land are a rarity in recent Camas history. The Soap Chest, a boutique soap retailer at 521 Northeast Everett St. that opened late last year, was the first entirely new building built in the city's downtown in decades, said Carrie Schulstad, executive director of the Downtown Camas Association. The city core is home to some 120 businesses, as well as city offices and five churches. LLB Architecture of Vancouver has submitted preliminary plans for a 35,000-square-foot, three-story commercial/apartment development occupying a square block between Northeast Third and Second avenues and Dallas and Cedar streets. As currently planned, the building would include nearly 8,500 square feet for commercial space on its main level and 16 apartment units on the top two floors. On-site parking for 49 cars would be included. Riverview Community Bank of Vancouver is listed as the property owner. The second proposed development is a three-story building with a restaurant, office space on level two and residential lofts on a half-square-block bounded by Northeast 6th and 7th avenues and Northeast Birch and Cedar streets. The building is being proposed by Hoviss Development Group of Vancouver. The building would include a 4,700 square-foot restaurant on the main level facing 6th Avenue with indoor and street-side seating accessible through a wall of garage doors. Office suites and a conference room would be included for the second level connected to a rear parking lot by a sky bridge. The third level would feature four residential lofts ranging in size from 1,200 to 1,600 square feet. The projects are now being reviewed as part of the city's pre-application process, and there's no certainty that developers will move forward. Construction on both projects could begin this summer if final proposals are submitted and the city approves them. Phil Bourquin, Camas' community development director, said the proposed developments fall within the city's commercial zone and would be subject to design standards, ADA compliance, setbacks and other rules governing development in that zone. He said any development comprising a square block must provide parking spaces based on a square footage calculation of need. Since the building proposed for the corner of Northeast Sixth Ave. and Northeast Birch St. does not occupy a square block, it is not required to provide parking. The residential portions of the new development projects could qualify for an 8- to 12-year tax exemption for the approved value of qualifying newly constructed units under the city's Multi-Family Tax Exemption Program. This program, which can be used for residential units above ground-floor commercial space, is designed to provide an incentive for new residential development in the downtown core. The length of time of the abatement is based on whether or not the units qualify as low-income housing. Schulstad said mixed-use buildings offer more space for creative services companies and business incubators, while downtown housing helps support the downtown economy and culture. "We are very excited about the new developments in downtown Camas." she said. "Historic districts thrive when there are more mixed-use buildings that are constructed."