Soap Lake considers annexation, development needs
R. HANS MILLER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 2 years AGO
As Soap Lake continues to grow the city’s administration is looking to ensure planning is taken care of to accommodate the growth within state guidelines.
File photo
Managing Editor Rob Miller is a 4-year U.S. Army veteran who grew up in Western Montana in a community about the size of Soap Lake. An honors graduate of Texas State University, he enjoys spending time with his wife, Brandee, and their three dogs, Draco, Pepper and Cinnamon. He has one son, William. During his free time, he enjoys photography, video games, reading and working on the house he and his wife bought in Ephrata. He is passionate about the First Amendment and educating communities. | January 21, 2023 3:40 PM
SOAP LAKE – During Wednesday’s regular Soap Lake City Council meeting, council members took up multiple topics related to development in and around the city, including the annexation of a dozen 50-foot by 100-foot lots and an updated plan for the Purple Sage development.
City Planner and former Mayor Alex Kovach said the new development plan for Purple Sage will set up a condominium development rather than an RV park. It will be comprised of double-wide manufactured homes with 236 units in the subdivision.
Soap Lake Police Chief and Interim City Administrator Ryan Cox advised the council that only brand new manufactured homes can be brought into the city, so this will not bring in outdated structures that aren’t up to current codes.
The city also discussed the annexation of the dozen units and what that process would involve. The lots in question are located about one and a half blocks west of Maple Street, Kovach said. If annexed, the lots would be zoned for residential use.
In order to annex the land or approve the updated development plan, the city would need to address whether it has the infrastructure to support those properties. That would include water and sewer capacity to support the added population.
R. Hans “Rob” Miller may be reached at editor@columbiabasinherald.com.
Correction: The day of the meeting and Ryan Cox's title have been corrected above.
ARTICLES BY R. HANS MILLER
Welding mishap causes Simplot fire
MOSES LAKE – Grant County Fire District 5 and the Grant County Sheriff’s Office responded to a fire at the new Simplot freezer facility in the 2100 block of Road O Northeast at around noon Monday.
Ephrata School Board makes Murray official, appoints board member
EPHRATA - During their regular meeting last week, the Ephrata School Board appointed Casey Devine as a school board director. They also voted 3-1 to offer Ken Murray, who has acted as interim superintendent since early last year, a three-year contract as full-time superintendent.
Basin law enforcement, schools address immigration concerns
MOSES LAKE — Local law enforcement and schools will continue following state law regarding immigration enforcement, according to statements made by those organizations. The announcements come in response to rumors that began circulating last week after various immigration-related executive orders from President Donald Trump.