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Council declares intent to swap city land for developer parcel to enable Sage Lakes restroom; motion carries
Summary
The council voted to declare intent to exchange a 0.229-acre city parcel for a 0.05-acre developer parcel near Sage Lakes Golf Course so utilities can be extended for a planned restroom; the developer will pay an equalizing cash payment and share appraisal costs. A public hearing will be published before final action.
The Idaho Falls City Council declared its intent June 22 to exchange a small, unused city parcel north of Eaglewood Drive for a 0.05-acre parcel owned by a private developer to allow utility service and construction of a restroom at Sage Lakes Golf Course.
Parks Director Holmes told the council staff had completed appraisals for both properties and recommended an equalizing exchange so the city could run water and sewer lines to the golf course. "We need enough room to put a service line for water and a service line for sewer in," Holmes said, describing the city parcel as about 0.229 acres (roughly 9,983 square feet) appraised at about $25,000 and the developer parcel at about 0.05 acres (2,183 sq ft) appraised at roughly $5,500.
The proposed terms presented to council used the appraiser's figures and a per-square-foot equalizing payment (staff discussed $2.50 per sq ft) and asked the developer to split the $3,500 appraisal cost. Under staff calculations the developer would owe approximately $19,500 in cash to equalize values plus half of the appraisal fee (about $1,750), producing an effective exchange value in the neighborhood of $21,250 in favor of the city.
Councilor [mover listed in the meeting minutes] moved the declaration of intent with square-foot valuation and the appraisal-cost split; the motion was seconded and approved on a voice roll call. The clerk recorded affirmative votes from Council President Francis, Councilor Damon, Councilor Lee, Councilor Freeman, Councilor Larson and Councilor Radford; the motion carried.
Following the declaration of intent, municipal code requires the clerk to publish a summary in the official newspaper and schedule a public hearing. Staff said the public hearing is planned for Thursday, July 30; council must return to adopt a final ordinance and legal descriptions once surveys and final equalization calculations are completed.
If the exchange is completed as described, city staff said the developer would run the primary utilities to the property and could help fund the stub connections the city needs to build the restroom. Holmes said the restroom is intended mainly for golfers and would provide a long-missing facility on the front nine.
Next steps: staff will publish the required notice, complete a survey, finalize the exchange terms and return the item for public hearing and final action.
