COEUR d'ALENE - It's not a done deal, but there is a plan in the works to bring sewer service to the commercial strip of Dalton Gardens along Government Way.

If the project moves forward, it will be a boon to business property owners, their tenants, and the region's drinking water supply.

"I think it is fantastic. It's been a long time coming, and I think the majority of business owners have been wanting to have a sewer," said Dennis Spencer, owner of five commercial properties in Dalton Gardens. "It will allow us to have different uses on our property. There will be able to be more restaurants."

Commercial real estate owners are now limited in the types of business tenants they can lease to, said Spencer, whose five properties include several units in Wild Goose Plaza and the Aqua Center.

"You can only have so many customers and employees per day because of the usage of restroom facilties and water usage because of the septic," Spencer said.

City Council president Steve Roberge said businesses can only generate 250 gallons of water per day.

"But the main benefit that I see is about this getting the drainage from going into the aquifer," Roberge said.

Dalton Gardens city officials have been looking for ways to get this done for a few years, said Mayor Dan Franklin.

The project targets the commercial district only. There are no plans to move the city's residential areas off septic service.

"The City of Dalton Gardens wants to maintain its rural atmosphere," Franklin said.

The possibility to bring sewer service to Dalton Gardens' commercial area was triggered by the City of Coeur d'Alene's upcoming project to reconstruct and widen Government Way between Dalton and Hanley avenues. The property on the east side of the road is in Dalton Gardens.

Coeur d'Alene City Council members agreed at their meeting last week to enter into a Memo of Understanding that paves the way for Dalton Gardens' commercial zone to be hooked into Coeur d'Alene's sewer system. In exchange, Dalton Gardens will use its power of eminent domain to help aquire the needed right of way to widen Government Way.

Coeur d'Alene has received federal funding to complete the road project expected to begin within the next 2-3 years.

Mike Gridley, Coeur d'Alene's city attorney, said Dalton Gardens or the commerical property owners will be responsible for any costs associated with extending sewer service to the city.

If approved, Dalton Gardens will likely fund the sewer project by forming a Local Improvement District around the commercial properties.

A public hearing on the matter is being planned for Aug. 5.

"We have to take a look at the LID process and listen to the constituents," Franklin said.

If they move forward, engineer design plans will begin this winter.

The project will be bid out and construction will begin in 2011.

Staff writer Paul Lash contributed to this story.