No trailers for Schneider Homes

Land use discussed with council

MOSES LAKE — There will not be a manufactured home park in the Cascade Valley annexation according to Schneider Homes, Inc.

Phil Grosso, Schneider's representative, came before the Moses Lake Council to clear up rumors surrounding the use of the land.

All of the rumors citizens are hearing are false, he said. He is unsure where the rumors may have originated.

"We have no plans for a mobile home park," Grosso said. "We want to put that clearly to rest."

An exact plan for how the land will be developed is not prepared yet. It is zoned for single family residences and duplexes. The plan excludes manufactured homes and apartments.

Manufactured homes can be built there if certain conditions are met, but there are no plans for the dwellings.

"It will be an absolutely wonderful community you'll be proud of," he added.

Sidewalks and streets will be constructed. There will be space provided for a park as required by the city.

"They're going to enhance it," Councilmember Dick Deane said about the property. "The community is going to be well-groomed."

Some citizens expressed concern over density in the area.

He said there will be about four units per acre. Previously it was speculated there would be up to eight units.

Citizens who live near the annexation said they were concerned with having the property developed because it eliminates natural views of landscape.

"Moses Lake wasn't always the size it is now," Councilmember Richard Pearce said.

The annexation is part of the growth of the city and people need a place to live.

Citizens were concerned with police and fire department response times to the area.

"We've always kept up with our infrastructure," Pearce said. "We will keep up with that."

If it becomes necessary additional police and fire protection will be provided specifically to the area.

Another concern citizens have is whether or not a school will be built for the area to accommodate incoming youth.

"Schools are not our responsibility," he said.

It is up to the school district to choose sites to build schools, he added.

The annexation began with a rough start.

In order for the annexation to be completed a lawsuit was filed in Kittitas County by Schneider Homes Inc. to be able to enter the city, Grosso said.

It was filed because the Boundary Review Board claimed it could not be annexed because it was not contiguous with other city limit properties because the roads leading to the property switched between county and city jurisdiction, he said.

The development was able to proceed with the annexation because the land is contiguous through the lake, he said.

A meeting is scheduled for today at 3 p.m. between the Moses Lake city officials and Grant County Commissioners to discuss transportation issues facing the annexation. The meeting is held at the Grant County Office of the Board of County Commissioners located at 35 C St. N.W. in Ephrata.