KINGSTON — It’s no surprise that the North End had an increasing influx of residents, however, developers are starting to take advantage of this growth with hopes to appeal to local business owners.

Three large parcels of land that are in different stages of development have been or will be making a noticeable impact on the North End’s landscape in the next few years, providing space for businesses in light industrial parks or commercial retail locations.

The newest site in the earliest stages of development is owned by Kingston-based Kingview Properties, LLC, managed by residents Scott Karren and Dick Anderson, who recently purchased a 10.5-acre parcel off State Route 104, just west of Myrtle Lane.

Karren and Anderson have plans to create a light industrial park, with the first business being Karren’s North Sound Cruising Center. He intends to import yachts from a company in Poland and customize them for customers.

Karren recently sent a letter to local businesses owners to get an idea of who might be interested in relocating to the new industrial park.

“We’re trying to gather information to make decisions,” Karren said.

So far, interest has come from a collision repair shop, a commercial kitchen owner and a local lumber yard.

Karren and Anderson have already talked with the Kitsap County’s Department of Community Development staff about permitting and designing, which will be the next step. This particular site was chosen because of its zoning.

“It’s the only property in North Kitsap that is light industrial zoned,” Karren said.

The site is in a watershed area, as Carpenter Creek and Carpenter Lake are nearby. Anderson said they will put forth a “150 percent” effort to make as little impact as possible on the environment.

Down the street, at the corner of SR 104 and Miller Bay Road, Frontier Financial Corporation’s CEO Mike Clementz recently took down the “For Sale” sign that was posted on his 13-acre property, which was clear-cut last fall.

He currently has the parcel under “earnest money” and is working out details with possible tenants, he said, adding that development probably won’t take place for another year.

“The earliest anything could happen would be the fall for 2005,” he said.

Four and one-half acres are slated for 195,000-square-feet of commercial space. There will also be a small residential lot on the back portion of the property. The remaining nine acres will be under a conservation easement because of their proximity to the headwaters of Grovers Creek.

While Clementz couldn’t comment on the businesses that he expects to open there, he did confirm that there would be no restaurant because the site is on a septic system.

Further north, on Hansville Road, is an 18-acre parcel that was clear-cut last spring, making way for another light industrial park. The site is just south of the Hansville Waste Transfer Center.

Scott Fladgard, manager of Kingston-based Akamai Properties, owns the land and instead of leasing, will be selling parcels to local businesses.

“There is a fair amount (of light industrial) for lease right now but a lot of business owners don’t want to lease, they want to own,” Fladgard said.

The smallest size for sale will be an acre, he explained, adding he is trying to stay flexible to accommodate small businesses owners.

There is no time frame yet for development, as Fladgard working on the site’s permitting, which will take at least two years, he said.