Board postpones decision on Liberty Lake annexation

The fight over 650 acres separating Liberty Lake and Spokane Valley will continue at least for another month.

The squabble, scheduled to end Monday night before the Boundary Review Board, was continued after members of that quasi-judicial body requested more information.

Specifically, the board asked for case history on whether Washington cities with flawed comprehensive land-use plans could be allowed under state law to expand geographically.

Liberty Lake wants to annex 650 acres west of the city, which would move its property line up to the doorstep of Spokane Valley. The sizable chunk of land is mostly pasture, but developers plan to build 2,000 to 3,000 homes on the property. The eventual population on the 650 acres would roughly equal Liberty Lake’s current population of 5,511.

The majority of those who own parcels within the disputed property favor Liberty Lake annexation. Much of the land belongs to a subsidiary of Inland Empire Paper Co., which is owned by the same company that owns The Spokesman-Review.

Spokane Valley officials are balking at the expansion because it would preclude their own city from claiming the land. Spokane Valley deputy attorney Cary Driskel urged the board Monday to reject Liberty Lake’s request because of a glitch in its comprehensive land-use plan.

Liberty Lake’s allocated population hasn’t been determined, Driscoll said. State law requires that figure in land-use plans so cities can estimate future growth and their ability to provide services to new citizens.

For its part, Liberty Lake said it has been waiting more than a year to receive its allocation. The number has to be released by Spokane County.

Spokane County is on record opposing the annexation but didn’t show up at the Monday meeting. Boundary board members said they wanted to hear from the county in person before making a decision.

The Boundary Review Board will take up the matter again Nov. 8 at 3 p.m. in the Spokane County Public Works Building.