POST FALLS - A delayed 234-acre annexation proposal next to a 67-acre site for a possible multi-use sports complex on the Rathdrum Prairie may get extended life, but it's not a priority area for the city to bring in.

The Post Falls City Council on Tuesday will consider extending an option for six months on a land purchase for the complex with developers Prairie Crossing West of Amity, Ore.

The option agreement expires March 26. The council last year - on a 3-2 vote - agreed to allow the proposal to enter the public hearing process.

"This (extension) will hopefully give them time to advance their case for annexation," City Administrator Eric Keck said. "They still do not have this scheduled with the Planning and Zoning Commission, but it is being worked on."

The planning commission would hold a public hearing on the proposal, then make a recommendation to the council. The council would also hold a public hearing before deciding the fate of the request.

The site is west of Highway 41 between Prairie and Hayden avenues.

The 234 acres is adjacent to a 67-acre site the city is interested in buying from the same developer for a future sports complex for $750,000, which is considered a deal in today's market. The sale will only be finalized if the annexation is approved.

"It is simply an option to buy the land if it's annexed into the city," Keck said.

The parkland would be paid for with impact fees and taxes would not be raised.

Keck said the city hasn't been given a reason from the developers as to why the annexation proposal has been delayed for about a year, but he assumes the economy is the reason.

Brad Marshall of JUB Engineers, which represents the developers, referred questions on the proposal's progress to city officials.

Keck said there's a demand for sports fields.

"The property itself is a beautiful piece of land that lends itself extremely well for recreation programs and play fields," he said. "It would not take too much to develop the site for multi-use fields for soccer, football and lacrosse. The softball and baseball component would take a little longer to develop as they require some additional facilities to be constructed."

However, from a policy perspective, decisionmakers could have a difficult time with the annexation request given the economy and the work the planning commission and council recently did on annexation policy and guidelines.

"Both groups, working together, have created a map of priority areas that would be examined for annexation in the near future and this parcel was not included due to its distance from city services as well as the expense to bring them and maintain these facilities while there may be little growth occurring in this vicinity," Keck said.

"However, I cannot speak for the policy makers with this matter and it is premature to make any decisions until the applicant has had their opportunity to present their story and vision with the property."

Last year, in deciding whether to hear a formal annexation request, the council debated whether the proposal would be a drag on city services and affect pending limits of treated wastewater discharged to the Spokane River. However, supporters said the request is a logical extension of city boundaries and liked the fact it's a large block to allow for a cohesive community rather than lead to sprawl.

The city believes, if managed correctly, that sports complexes can be a money maker.