KINGSTON — Plans for Apple Tree Point, a 106-home development near Lindvog Road, have been remanded to Kitsap County staff for review, completing a circle that began seven years ago.

The remand is part of a Washington Supreme Court order — which also ruled the project was vested — to determine if it requires an environmental impact statement.

This determination is another in a long string of hurdles the development’s owners have faced in the past six years.

The family-rooted Apple Tree Point Partners, the project’s developers, filed an application in December 1994 for approval of a preliminary plat to have one home per every 1.16 acre rather than the one per every 2.5 acre.

In 1995 county staff decided Apple Tree Point did not require an environmental impact statement. The Association of Rural Residents, a group who opposes the project, appealed the decision. In October 1995 the Hearing Examiner approved the plans but for only 70 lots.

The Hearing Examiner cited traffic, surface water, noise, and natural habitat impacts, even if marginal that together they would “result in a significant adverse impact.”

Apple Tree Partners and the association appealed that decision to the county commissioners. They approved the project with 106 homes and did not require an EIS. The case ended up in court winding up at the state supreme court.

According to the court order Kitsap County is required to re-evaluate traffic, groundwater and steep slope issues.

Now the Apple Tree plans are with the Department of Community Development which will review and decide how to proceed officials said.

“Just what form that will take we haven’t decided,” said Rick Kimball, SEPA coordinator for the Department of County Development.