Council holds first reading on South Frontage short subdivision; applicant seeks deferrals for utilities

The Moses Lake City Council held a first reading on a short subdivision application for a site on South Frontage Road west of Love's and Hanson Road. Staff described the request as seeking deferrals or deviations from standard code requirements for frontage improvements, sewer and water connections and fire hydrant installation.

Planning staff said the segment of South Frontage Road is currently constructed to serve the vicinity without a decrease in existing levels of service and that the developer requested a deferral of the requirement to build three-quarter-width frontage improvements until further subdivision or development occurs. The applicant also seeks deviations to delay construction and connection of sanitary sewer and city water until mains are extended to the area.

Staff told council an existing 12-inch water main is stepped out at the intersection of Idaho Road and Sage Road and that extending a main to the site would require an approximate 4,400-foot extension at the developer's expense. The transcript includes an unclear reference to sanitary-sewer extension dimensions; because the length and scope of required sanitary sewer extension were not clearly stated on the record, staff characterized the extension as impracticable at present and recommended covenant language and further engineering review.

Applicant Seth Bishop (on the phone) said an existing underground storage facility for fire-flow is located to the west and could be used for the project; he indicated fire-department and engineer review of the tank's capacity is underway. City staff and the fire department said they will review the submitted fire-flow data and related easement options before the council takes final action. Council accepted the first reading and asked staff to return the item for decision at a subsequent meeting once the fire-flow and engineering reviews are complete.

Why it matters: The item affects how and when infrastructure is extended into a portion of South Frontage Road and whether the city will allow phased development with deferred frontage, water and sewer improvements.

What comes next: Staff will obtain a fire-department review of proposed on-site or adjacent fire-flow storage and clarify engineering requirements; the council scheduled the matter for formal consideration at a subsequent meeting pending those reviews.