POST FALLS — The annexation of Echo Estates was approved by the Post Falls City Council on a 4-2 vote Tuesday night. 

Developer Eagle Crest Land LLC and Olson Engineering had withdrawn a past proposal for a subdivision project until they were able to calibrate the project closer to comprehensive plan guidelines and to be more in step with resident input. 

The property is north of West Echo Drive and west of North McGuire Road and is based west of Gabrio Estates Subdivision at the end of Okanogan Street. 

Eagle Crest Land sought a medium density R2 zoning for the 9.72-acre parcel. 

City engineer Rob Palus said the Post Falls Highway District identified Echo Drive as not adequate for additional traffic anticipated for a project of this size.  

“The road does not have enough structural strength to handle in particular what they anticipate from the construction traffic that will be going in and out of the subdivision to build the homes,” Palus said.   

Palus said the road would likely need to be reconstructed before development could be possible.   

He said the freezing and thawing during winter would also create additional wear and tear on Echo Drive’s chip seal.   

City Councilor Randy Westlund said the development of a subdivision would come later in the process and was not the focus of the public hearing.   

“We’re just dealing with the annexation itself,” Westlund said.   

“It seems like maybe getting the cart before the horse, adding an annexation and subdivision before the road to it is able to support that kind of traffic,” said City Councilor Nathan Ziegler, who opposed the annexation.

Mayor Ron Jacobson said he understood why the road concerns were being brought up, even if not yet technically relevant for the project. 

“If the city’s not willing to annex them, why are they going to spin their wheels?” Jacobson said.   

After annexation, the developer could pursue the subdivision with the understanding they’re not going to get a subdivision until they reach an agreement for that road. 

“It's a balancing act,” Jacobson said. 

Westlund said he understood the developer’s logic in seeking approval for the annexation without the subdivision proposal at this time.  

“Naturally, you would want to know before you sink too much money into it whether the city’s going to annex you or not,” Westlund said. 

In conversations with residents in the vicinity about the project, many suggested that developing larger lots was more acceptable. 

Three options were identified by Eagle Crest Land LLC as options for the property, but the preferred option is a twin home layout with 53 lots and a density of 5.3 homes per acre. Each unit would have a two-car garage, accessory building and be individually owned. 

There would be 30 feet between homes and the combinations offered on the property would allow people to purchase a shop for a lower price than traditional shop lots.  

According to engineering projections for the twin home layout, there would be about 500 trips per weekday on Echo Drive. 

City Councilor Samantha Steigleder, who also opposed the annexation, said the proposal puts the city in a state of the unknown for too many variables, especially with the issue of a road that would need to be rebuilt before construction could be started. 

“I think that puts the city in a tricky situation,” Steigleder said. 

Resident Kathy Bliesner said she had traffic concerns. 

“I strongly oppose this and one of the reasons is the road,” Bliesner said. 

Bliesner said the access points onto Echo Drive are very tight and that it’s an agricultural zone. Her neighbors grow grapes and have cattle.   

The developer of Echo Estates indicated they would enter into an agreement to bring Echo Drive to city and the Post Falls Highway District standards to support project construction.