Most Liberty Lake residents happy with their city
A majority of Liberty Lake residents are happy with the city’s performance – they’d just like to turn its rapid development down a few notches.
The City Council and staff got a good fix on public sentiment after reading through 330 responses to a recent community survey.
“We wanted to know what are the priorities of the community before going into budget season,” said City Councilman Patrick Jenkins.
The four-year-old city mailed a 14-question survey to 2,151 households in September. Questions covered everything from thoughts about planning and development to satisfaction with spending and city services.
People responded to most questions and statements by selecting one of five answers. Answers ranged from “very satisfied” to “very unsatisfied” and “strongly agree” to “strongly disagree.” It also included a section for written responses.
While nearly 62 percent of respondents gave the city’s overall performance a thumbs-up, many expressed concern about rapid development, crowded schools and loss of quality of life.
Handwritten comments praised trails, parks, events and the new pedestrian bridge, while complaining about golf taxes, noxious weeds, barking dogs and overdevelopment.
“Love the new beautiful bridge and other great walking trails,” one person complimented, while another said, “Don’t displace every living animal around just to build houses everywhere.”
There were complaints about access to Interstate 90 and a growing weariness of the battle between the city and Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District.
“Figure this damn sewer thing out,” blasted one resident. Another said, “The fight with Liberty Lake sewer district is absurd. Leave them alone.”
Jenkins said the city got the message that residents want the dispute resolved and is stepping up efforts to reach a franchise agreement with Liberty Lake Sewer and Water District.
People expressed concerns about overcrowding at Liberty Lake Elementary School, even suggesting the city place a moratorium on development until a new elementary and middle school can be built. Some wanted developers to pick up the tab for schools through impact fees.
“The second thing I captured from this is we need to be more aggressive with working with the (Central Valley) school district,” Jenkins said, adding that money for new schools could be generated by impact fees on developers and bonds.
While Liberty Lake received high marks for its parks and recreation – with more than 77 percent being somewhat or very satisfied – several writers criticized the city for allowing redevelopment of nearby baseball fields and called for more youth facilities.
The city took its lumps for land use and planning. An equal number – about 38 percent – were both satisfied and dissatisfied with land use and planning. Another 24 percent were neutral.
When asked if the city is striking an appropriate balance between development and quality of life preservation, nearly half agreed. However, about 36 percent disagreed that development and life quality are balanced.
Some chastised the city for its close relationships with developers. Others complained about homes chiseled into a hillside once known as Holiday Hills and part of Legacy Ridge.
“There is a disturbing trend that developer trumps every other consideration,” one responder wrote.
Although residents criticized the city and developers, 66 percent agreed that commercial development is important for the community’s long-term growth and stability, while another 55 percent thought residential growth was important.
Nearly 78 percent were satisfied with public safety, but several said there are too many cops.
“This is Mayberry. Why have eight police cars? I think this is overkill,” one commented.
Overall, more than half the people thought tax dollars were appropriately spent as opposed to 18 percent who were less satisfied. Another 30 percent were neutral on the subject.
Jenkins said the city hopes to do another survey next year. “The foundation of this community and why it’s so great is people like to participate.”