Spokane grows by 207 acres, 1,640 people

Spokane City Council members on Monday voted unanimously to annex 207 acres in southeast Spokane, a move that adds 1,640 residents and improves the Lilac City’s standing as the state’s second-largest city.

Prior to the vote, Spokane was leading Tacoma by a mere 600 residents, according to state estimates based on the 2000 census.

Monday’s annexation, plus another smaller residential annexation earlier this year, increases the city’s population from an estimated 197,400 to 199,100.

Tacoma’s population is currently 196,800. The West Side city had claimed the state’s No. 2 spot for a time in 2003, based on a discrepancy between U.S. Census estimates and state figures.

City officials appeared more eager about the prospects of increasing the city’s tax revenue. Sizable parts of the annexation area are held in large undeveloped parcels. Owners or representatives of some of those properties asked the council on Monday for new zoning and land-use rules to allow development.

The annexation also includes an existing tax plum: the 13-acre Shopko store at the innermost edge of the new city territory. It is located at 44th and Regal, just north of the Palouse Highway. Shopko generates the bulk of nearly $130,000 in annual sales tax collections expected to go to the city as a result of the annexation, officials said.

The new city territory holds an assessed property valuation of $55.7 million, which would yield another $400,000 a year in property taxes to the city.

Mayor Jim West said the so-called “Shopko Annexation” will help the city meet rising costs for delivering city services in coming years.

The annexation is bounded on the north and west by the current city limits, and on the south and east by 53rd Avenue and Freya Street.

The move to the city began when property owners within the annexation area petitioned the city. Initially, the city sought a 77-acre annexation of commercial and undeveloped land, which had only six residences.

The Washington State Boundary Review Board for Spokane County enlarged the area from 77 acres to 207 acres after hearing from nearby residents who wanted to be included. The board found that the city would provide improved services to residents. Fire insurance rates might drop for property owners, the board said in its findings.

Fire District 8 sought to block the annexation, but its lawsuit against the Boundary Review Board was dropped when the city agreed to partially compensate the district for the loss of its property tax collections from the area. Another agreement was reached with the Spokane County Library District.

Council members adopted zoning and land-use designations that were consistent with designations the county had applied to the area. But council members said they would entertain an effort by city officials, landowners and residents to come up with a new land-use plan and zoning designations.

Greg Sweeney, a former city official, said some large landholders would like to see increased opportunities for commercial development. Sweeney said he was representing three such owners.

“The Shopko annexation makes a lot of sense,” Sweeney told the council.

Larry Myers and Randy Hall, owners of residential properties east of Shopko, asked the council to consider rezoning their properties from single-family to apartment uses, which would fit better with the surroundings.

Larger property owners include Shopko, Clare House LLC, Spokane Radio Inc., Kenneth and Phyllis Seiler, Lancze Douglass and the Little Maverick.