Court rules annexation petition can be reconsidered

A Superior Court judge ruled that Liberty Lake can revisit its petition to annex 644 acres between the city and Spokane Valley.

The ruling allows the city to pick up where it left off with the annexation, instead of gathering another round of petitions from the landowners. The city could plead its case before Spokane County Boundary Review Board in January, said Lewis Griffin, the city’s outgoing city administrator.

Annexation means the land, would no longer be a part of Spokane County. Instead, residents would receive police, library and other services through Liberty Lake.

The city’s last attempt to annex the land failed, in spite of support from a majority of landowners, including Centennial Properties Inc. a subsidiary of Cowles Publishing Co., owners of The Spokesman-Review.

The BRB declined to approve the annexation, in large part, because the city’s comprehensive plan was ruled invalid by the Growth Management Hearings Board for Eastern Washington. After Spokane Valley challenged the plan, the hearings board determined it was missing supporting documents from non-city provider of services, such as Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District. Also the capital facilities portion of the plan, which outlines how the city will provide services for its growing population, was built on unofficial population figures, which took the city over two years to get approved.

Griffin said the judge is expected to sign the order on Dec. 29.

Susan Winchell, director of Spokane County Boundary Review Board, said the board will set a public hearing for the Liberty Lake Annexation sometime in January.

With a 30-day notice period, the hearing would likely happen in February with a final decision possibly coming as early as March.

Also discussed

“Liberty Lake is saying goodbye to 2005 by amending the general fund to reflect $313,320 in additional sales tax revenue.

“The city-owned Trailhead Golf Course repaid a $40,000 inter-fund loan that was used for improvements.

The city is drafting a letter to the public facilities district in support of Sports USA. Eric Sawyer of Spokane Regional Sports Commission requested the city write the letter in hopes that the Spokane Public Facilities District will takeover the complex, which he said is key to attracting regional and national volleyball and basketball tournaments.

“Liberty Lake’s proposed community center and library got a spot on the Spokane Regional Chamber of Commerce’s funding priority list to be presented at an upcoming legislative session.

“The council thanked Lewis Griffin for five years of service. Griffin, a veteran city administrator, was crucial in establishing the departments when the city incorporated.

Council members also credited him with educating them about the legislative process. Councilwoman Wendy Van Orman also complimented Griffin:

“You’ve done an incredible amount of work in a short period of time.”