Council OKs annexation of Ridgeview acreage

The Spokane City Council has accepted a proposal by residents in the Ridgeview area near the Manito Country Club to start an annexation process for 36 acres of mostly residential land there.

The annexation was started after owners of 10 percent of the assessed value of the area had notified the city they wanted to pursue annexation. There are approximately 310 residents in the proposed annexation. The area is bounded by Hatch Road on the west, 54th Avenue on the North, 57th Avenue on the South and property lines midway between Perry Street and Hogan Lane to the east.

The council accepted the proposal last month.

City officials said they will work with residents to obtain signatures from other property owners under the direct petition method for annexation. To move forward, the annexation proposal would need signatures from owners representing at least 75 percent of assessed value.

Dave Mandyke, assistant director of public works and utilities, said residents in the area are interested in taking advantage of lower water and sewer rates charged to city residents. Rates are double outside the city, Mandyke said. The residents also were seeking improved fire and emergency medical response, he said.

If the annexation moves forward, the city would negotiate with Fire District 8 to phase out the district’s property tax collections over a period of five years. The annexation needs approval by the Boundary Review Board.

Mandyke said the city would increase its annual tax collections by about $90,000 a year, including sales and property tax collections. The annexation involves retail businesses near 57th Avenue and Perry Street.

Another South Side annexation has gained approval of the Boundary Review Board. It involves 77.3 acres of land near Shopko at 4515 S. Regal St. The annexation now goes to the city Plan Commission for establishing zoning and land-use rules. It will go back before the City Council next month, Mandyke said. Because of the retail businesses there, the city expects to gain $430,000 a year in tax revenue and is seeking to offset property tax losses to Fire District 8 over a five-year transition period.