Changes Sought In Blackwell Island Plan

Negotiations are continuing over an annexation agreement between the city and the developer of a proposed RV park on Blackwell Island.

The City Council this week recommended some changes to the lengthy agreement. A decision on the annexation, which would give the developer the green light to start work, is expected within a month if negotiations go well.

Among some of the changes suggested are a requirement that the developer pay for the structure necessary to hang a 10-inch sewer line from the U.S. Highway 95 bridge over the Spokane River when the state puts a new deck on the bridge.

Until then, the developer will extend a line of up to six inches, which is large enough to serve the park.

The city also wants the developer to install a bike lane along Highway 95 and give the city property for a possible future boat launch and boat parking.

The Rural Kootenai Organization is fighting the proposal because of environmental concerns and the possibility that high-density development could extend across the river with the installation of the high-capacity sewer line.

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