The Spokane City Council Agenda Review Committee reviewed a development agreement that would allow a private developer to build a regional sewer lift station in the Lower Terrace area, with a not-to-exceed city contribution of $8,000,000 and an interest repayment schedule of 4.75% over eight years.

City staff said the agreement is a cleaned-up version of a contract briefed previously; the only changes were a corrected legal description and the planning file number. The lift station responds to infrastructure needs identified in a 02/2007 Lower Terrace wastewater study and is intended to consolidate several smaller private pump stations into a regional facility.

Marlene (city planning/utility staff) told the committee the sewer service the station would provide can serve properties inside the urban growth area (UGA) and may extend to properties inside or outside city limits only if they lie within the UGA. She emphasized the agreement is an infrastructure decision and not a land-use approval under municipal code Title 17.

Council members asked whether the station would serve properties outside city limits (but inside the UGA), whether the project goes beyond standard development requirements, and why the city prefers a regional station. Staff answered that current planning found the project does not require improvements beyond existing development standards for sidewalks and that the regional station approach was recommended by the 2007 study to reduce long-term maintenance and cost by consolidating multiple small pump stations.

Committee members also learned the developer requested the council consider the substituted/agreement version tonight because the developer has an outstanding construction bid that requires the council vote before it can proceed.

The matter was placed on the final council agenda for consideration the same evening.