Council approves extension for Walgreens permit

MOSES LAKE — The city council granted a 180-day extension Tuesday on a building permit for the proposed Walgreens store on the 200 block of E. Broadway Avenue.

Scott Grainger, with Grainger Development Group in Bellevue, came before the council with the request, telling the city about his struggle in acquiring a small portion of the proposed store's property currently owned by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad.

Grainger said he anticipated some sort of resolution on the property within the next few months, but requested an extension of anywhere from 12 to 24 months. He said he anticipated construction to commence as soon as the issue is resolved.

City Manager Joe Gavinski said city codes allow for extensions to be granted in good cause, but only 180 days at a time.

The council voted 6-1 in favor of the extension. Councilman Jim Liebrecht voted against the extension, and said he thought the extension would incite more developers to ask for extensions when they ran into snags.

Other council members said in approving the request that Grainger had shown good cause with the proposal, but has had his hands tied by the situation with the railroad issue.

— Staff report