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Council tables developer request to rebalance Wall Avenue special assessments; asks staff for scenarios
Summary
Developer representatives asked the council to adjust assessment boundaries and spread costs for the Wall Avenue projects so Lost River West would not bear the extension alone; councilmembers expressed concern about road timing and equity for existing residents and voted to table while staff prepares scenario analyses for the special assessment commission.
Developer representatives on Monday asked the Horace City Council for direction to rebalance special assessments for multiple Wall Avenue improvement districts so that Lost River West residents would not carry a disproportionate share of costs for an extension and related work. Representatives said voluntary annexation and coordination with prior Wall Avenue improvement districts create an opportunity to equalize costs across the corridor.
A developer representative summarized projected fiscal benefits, telling council that modeled build‑out could create substantial assessed value and tax revenue for the city, and argued that spreading the extension costs across east, west, and extension segments would be equitable for future residents. "We believe Lost River West residents shouldn't be stuck paying for the East district, the West district and the extension," the representative said.
Council members expressed caution. Some argued that dissolving or altering an existing 81st Street improvement district without a clear replacement plan risks repeating prior problems where roads were not completed before heavy construction traffic caused community complaints. Members asked staff for two scenarios showing the dollar impact to existing residents if districts are reconfigured or if the city takes on a portion of the extension. Several councilmembers requested the item be sent to the Special Assessment Commission (SAC) with scenario analyses and recommended that developers and SAC present a balanced recommendation.
Outcome: council voted to table the request and asked staff to prepare financial scenarios for SAC and to return with clearer options for balancing the corridor assessments and road‑improvement timing.
