KINGSTON — Mike Clementz was more than happy to explain last week why the corner of State Route 104 and Miller Bay Road had been recently cleared.

The President and CEO of Frontier Financial Corporation, which owns Poulsbo-based Frontier Bank, confirmed Sept. 2 that his company owns the 13-acre property and plans to develop a portion of it with local businesses.

Frontier has owned the property for five years and it has taken just as long to get developing permits, he said.

Of the 13.75 acres, 4.56 acres will be developed for commercial space, Clementz said, adding that he also plans to create a conservation easement on the remaining parcels and is interested in giving them to the Suquamish Tribe.

“It is the headwaters of Grovers Creek,” he said. “I want to protect the (tribe’s) salmon hatchery.”

There is also a half-acre parcel on the southwest corner of the property that is zoned residential.

As for the businesses, Clementz said he wants keep local dollars at work on the property.

“I’m more interested in hometown businesses being here,” he explained.

Besides a future branch of Frontier Bank, Clementz said he wants to see a mom-and-pop-type restaurant, a car wash and auto lubrication service, an auto parts store and some retail offices included within the commercial space.

Clementz made it clear there would not be a gas station or drug store — contrary to rumors he has heard.

He is currently working with developer Gary Lindsey on how to set up the commercial space.

Lindsey updated the Kingston Citizens Advisory Committee on the clearing of the corner lot at the group’s Sept. 3 meeting.

KCAC member Walt Elliott asked Lindsey if the proposed Miller Bay Road widening project was considered in the process of the project.

Lindsey explained that he spent two hours with the State Department of Transportation earlier that day talking about traffic impacts and engineering of the intersection with the new corner development.

Lindsey also said he expects a Frontier Bank branch to open at the site within two years.

Other businesses have not been solicited yet, but he noted the owners of Mike’s Car Wash and Detail in Poulsbo are interested in opening a location on the property.

Clementz purchased the property from the Odell family in December 1998, when he was owner of North Sound Bank. He merged his company with Frontier Bank in July 2000.