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Council approves annexation of four Rupert Road parcels, sets RM-6 zoning; two councilmembers dissent
Summary
The West Richland City Council voted 5–2 on July 15 to annex four parcels off Rupert Road (Short Plat 2570, Lots 1–4), apply RM-6 zoning, and allocate proportionate share of city indebtedness; two councilmembers expressed concerns about annexing property owners who had not requested it.
The West Richland City Council approved Ordinance 19-25 on July 15 to annex four parcels off Rupert Road (Lots 1–4 of Short Plat 2570) into city limits and to assign a Residential Medium (RM-6) zoning classification. The ordinance passed with five votes in favor and two opposed (Councilmembers Kate Moran and May Hayes).
Public works director Roscoe Slade told council the parcels include property the city purchased in February 2001 and that Lot 3 contains the city’s Well 9. Two of the four lots (Lots 1 and 3) are city-owned; the other two are privately owned. Slade said the annexation application used the 60% petition method in RCW 35A.14.120, and staff reported the petition represented 68% of assessed valuation, above the statutory threshold.
Why it matters: annexation brings those parcels under West Richland municipal codes, consolidating land-use control, and regularizes water service (city water already serves the parcels). Staff and the planning commission recommended annexing all four parcels and designating RM-6 zoning because RM-6 is consistent with adjacent development and the city’s comprehensive-plan designation.
What the council heard: Slade explained the city’s rationale, warning that partial annexations can produce incompatible uses on county-held parcels. “What staff’s recommending is move forward and annex all these in to the city of West Richland so that all the properties are in the city's codes,” he said. Councilmember Kate Moran asked about benefits to the city and noted a remaining strip of land on the south side of Rupert Road that is not currently in the urban growth area; she said she wanted assurance the annexation provided meaningful city benefit. Moran voted no.
Vote and formal action: the council approved Ordinance 19-25 (File ANX2025-001) by a 5–2 vote. Yes votes: Richard Bloom, Fred Brink, David Feddow, John Smart and Stoker. No votes: Kate Moran and May Hayes. The ordinance establishes RM-6 zoning for the parcels and assigns the property owners their proportionate share of city indebtedness as required when annexing.
Implementation notes and next steps: the city will update zoning maps and billing to reflect municipal property-tax and utility statuses. Slade said property taxes are roughly comparable between county and city for these parcels, and that the private property owners would also benefit from residential water rates rather than county rates. One private owner had initially hesitated to sign the annexation petition but the petition, by assessed valuation, met the statutory 60% threshold.
Ending: No legal challenge or further public hearing was announced at the July 15 meeting; staff will proceed with administrative steps to complete the annexation and update records.
