Annexation sought for area east of Hatch

The Spokane City Council on Monday approved a resolution initiating annexation of a development known as the Pines PUD just east of Hatch Road at the southern edge of the city.

The area is made up of about 40 parcels on 15.7 acres in south Spokane. Owners of 10 percent of land in the area have submitted a petition seeking the annexation. The Plan Commission has recommended in favor of it.

City officials will now file the annexation proposal with the state Boundary Review Board for Spokane County and seek annexation under the state’s direct petition method, which requires signatures from property owners representing at least 75 percent of the assessed value of the area.

Streets in the subdivision include Tomaker Lane, Sara Lane and Susan Lane.

In other business, the council is considering a proposal to hire a consultant to study traffic patterns in the downtown and University District areas. A study of a proposed Riverside Avenue extension is included in the proposal.

DKS Associates would undertake the study through a contract not to exceed $50,000 in an initial phase. The study will evaluate previous transportation and traffic studies and provide a plan for development that would link various projects and destinations in the core area.

A second phase of the study is being proposed for coming months and could cost as much as $400,000 if approved by the council.