What’s the construction on Shaw Road near 23rd in Puyallup? Here’s what we know
A developer has plans to build 25 homes near a busy intersection along Shaw Road in Puyallup, according to permit records on the city’s website.
Puyallup’s permit portal website shows that the Normandy Heights project will bring 25 single-family lots to 7.3 acres at 2007 Shaw Road “with associated stormwater facilities, newly dedicated public roads, street trees, and landscaping,” the public notice reads. “Onsite wetland, stream, and potential landslide hazard areas and associated buffers to be preserved in separate conservation tracts.”
Puyallup-based developer RM Homes is behind the project, according to the records.
Kim Sharpe Jones, the director of new home builder services for Matrix Real Estate, is listed as a contact on RM Homes’ website. Jones told The News Tribune in an email Tuesday: “RM Homes is developing the land now, but they plan to sell them as finished lots to another builder. Once another builder takes that on, they will be able to tell you more about what they have planned.”
The News Tribune also reached out to city spokesperson Eric Johnson for updates about the proposal, including the timeline for construction.
“Currently, a Clear, Fill and Grade Permit was issued and they have already begun clearing the site,” he said in an email. “Their Civil Construction Permit is under review. Once their Civil Construction Permit is issued, then they will begin construction of the roads, utilities, and site infrastructure. Once that is done, they will need to submit a Final Major Plat application, which needs Council approval to move forward.”
City of Puyallup hearing examiner Phil Olbrechts approved the developer’s conditional-use application for the project in December, records show.
“The existing site is vacant with a small cleared area and is otherwise forested,” the hearing examiner’s decision described.
The intersection of Shaw Road and 23rd Avenue Southeast near the proposed development gets particularly busy during rush hour. Part of the hearing examiner’s decision addressed traffic.
“Multiple concerns were raised about traffic congestion on Shaw Road,” Olbrechts wrote. “The city Engineer testified that Shaw Road currently meets the congestion standard adopted by the City Council. ... The City Engineer further testified that the City has been planning to accommodate added traffic to the road as development is added.”
City engineer Hans Hunger told The News Tribune in 2024 that the city’s comprehensive plan called for the project to widen Shaw Road from 23rd Avenue Southeast to Pioneer Way East to be done in the next 20 years. The city is seeking federal funding for the Shaw Road project, which it has estimated will take between $75 and $90 million. They’re planning the work in phases.
“New projects are being required to dedicate additional roadway width to Shaw Road so the road can be widened as congestion worsens,” the hearing examiner’s decision said. “Shaw Road from 20th to 23rd will be developed into a four-lane road with an ability to convert it into a five lane road. Another traffic light will also likely be added at the intersection of Shaw and 20th street once additional development is added to the north of the project site.”
Johnson, the city spokesperson, wrote that the developer will be required to do improvements along Shaw Road.
“The frontage improvements will be for the Shaw Road Widening project, and include grading and construction of a retaining wall along the roadway,” he wrote. “The project will also include two new public roads and a private road, stormwater facilities, water infrastructure, and other utility upgrades to support the new subdivision.”
Johnson noted that the city has housing targets to reach that are required by the state.
“Adding more housing inventory to Puyallup, such as this new subdivision, gets us closer to reaching that target,” he wrote. “More housing opportunities in Puyallup means more residents shopping, dining, and recreating in our community, which benefits everyone.”
A real estate company, Helix Home Team, posted a video about the project on social media May 14, including drone footage that showed land already cleared at the site near the corner of Shaw and 23rd.
“RM Homes is building a brand new community called Normandy Heights that will have 25 new homes in it,” the person in the video says. “If you’ve wondered why there’s construction here at this corner, this is it.”
