Members of the Morton City Council unanimously approved a pair of variance requests from Kirkland resident Vincent Ball during the council’s Monday, June 23, meeting, for a proposed duplex development project on three parcels of property located between Westlake Avenue and U.S. Highway 12 in Morton.
With his variance request approved, Ball is moving forward with designing and permitting his proposed housing development. Once completed, five duplexes — two- and three- bedroom units — will be built on the strip of land that once housed a handful of mobile homes. Three of the duplexes will have two three-bedroom units each, and the remaining two will both have two two-bedroom units.
While not a full-time resident, Ball frequently visits Morton and resides on Seventh Street as he owns and manages 17 other rental properties in the East Lewis County community. He was present at Monday’s meeting to explain why he needed the variance and to show residents what he hopes to construct.
“My parents are Betty and Frank Ball. I grew up, spent a lot of time here. I’ve got a deep connection to this community, so I want to invest in this community,” Ball said.
Ball recently repurchased the parcels of land on Westlake originally owned by his grandparents, Ray and Violett Garrett, who moved to Morton in the 1940s. Ray also ran his own logging company there, Ray Garrett Trucking.
It was his grandparents who first developed the land for six mobile homes.
Some of the mobile homes that used to be there have been moved, leaving vacant lots. However, three remain. Ball’s plan is to soon remove them as well, make improvements to the land and build five duplexes.
“I want to create an environment and rental properties that are nicer than traditionally they are here. And I strive to do that. If you see any of the properties that I’ve been updating and making improvements to, I think you’ll see the quality that I intend to do for these properties,” Ball said.
Zoning in the area would have allowed for Ball to build up to three four-unit apartment buildings. But considering the rest of Westlake Avenue is lined with single-family homes, he felt the duplexes would fit in better.
Duplexes also leave him space to put off-street parking on the parcels. Additionally, there will also be space for a proposed pickleball court and recreational area for tenants to use.
“I’m spending money here. I want this to be the showcase of Morton,” Ball added.
The first variance he needed was one that allowed him to build five duplexes for a total of 10 units instead of the three apartment buildings with 12 units.
In order to proceed with finalizing engineering designs and blueprints for the duplexes, he needed more setback space on the properties.
“What I’m asking for, instead of 20 feet in the front, is 10, which essentially puts it 20 feet off (Westlake). And then instead of 25 feet in the back, 15,” Ball said. “The back is Highway 12, so there’s no neighbor behind me that I have to sort of contend with, so I wouldn’t think there would be a problem with the back.”
Council members then spent a few minutes asking Ball questions about the proposed duplexes. Councilor Jason Sawyer asked if the overall square footage inside the units had increased with the change from four-unit apartments to duplexes.
Ball explained while the overall number of units was less, building size was still being kept to a minimum as there were five instead of three now.
“If I built three four-unit complexes, I could make more. I’m not here just to make money. I want the community to look good,” Ball said. “… My grandparents were critical on the way things looked and aesthetics. My grandfather was like Mr. Clean around here, put flowers in around those trailers, he tried to make things look good. I want to honor that.”
He also believed the duplex development would also help raise property values in the area and generate more revenue for the city.
“I’m sorry if your taxes go up,” Ball added.
Given Morton, like many communities throughout the nation, is in need of more affordable housing, the councilors were in general agreement Ball’s proposal was a good one — and were in favor of approving his variance requests.
“I have a hard time seeing any downsides,” Councilor Richard Vanderlip said.
Following the meeting, Ball told The Chronicle he still has to finish design and engineering for the project. While he had hoped to begin construction this summer, he is now aiming to begin early in 2026.
Once completed, the duplexes will be long-term rentals priced at “market competitive” rates, he added.
