NEWS HOME

New plans for Touchmark Heights

Early in 2006, Touchmark, a Beaverton-based company that builds and operates resort-style retirement communities for people 55-plus, proposed a 53-acre senior community to be developed on property bounded by Miller Road and Barnes. Preliminary plans were released in 2007, but then the recession hit, and we didn’t hear from Touchmark again until October 2012, when some changes were proposed to the initial master plan approved by the county. The original 53-acre Planned Development was expanded to 76 acres by the addition of 24 acres on the southwest corner in 2013.

Concept plan from the Touchmark Heights website

Work began on the first phase of the development this spring. That segment is expected to be completed in late 2017 or early 2018.

In late November, a Neighborhood Review Meeting was held to announce their latest plans. Several new ideas for the next phase of the development were shared at the meeting. The “Vineyard Clubhouse” will be built above the residential area now being constructed. This will be accompanied by expansion of an existing vineyard on the expanded property. Residents will have the opportunity to participate in the winemaking process.

A greenhouse and expanded community garden area is proposed. Housing, which will still accommodate a little over 700 residents when the development is completed, has been reconfigured. There will still be a mix of single-family lots, a cluster of four-story “Garden Homes” now with subgrade parking, and a multi-story Independent Living building with around 66 units.

Maps of the proposed plans were presented at the meeting. We'll share the finalized plans when they are released.

These meetings are meant to announce preliminary designs so that neighbors and other interested residents can share ideas and concerns. Comments at the meeting ranged from traffic and parking concerns, access to the existing QFC-anchored shopping center, to excitement about the development’s amenities, including public trails.

After considering neighbors comments, Touchmark expects to submit plans to Washington County in early 2017. It will be a Type III application, requiring a public hearing. We’ll continue to provide updates on this major change to the area that used to be called “Swede Hill.”

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