Moses Lake to annex land

MOSES LAKE - Moses Lake is considering annexing three separate properties, totaling 64.14 acres.

A public hearing is set for citizens to speak to comment about the proposed annexations on Jan. 25 at city hall.

The proposed annexations includes 38.27 acres owned by AmeriCold Logistics, a cold storage warehouse and 2.67 acres owned by National Frozen Food. Both properties are located near Wheeler Road.

The third proposed annexation is 23.2 acres owned by the Grant County PUD, located north of Kinder Road.

Within the proposed PUD annexation is property not owned by the PUD, but by Basin Refrigeration and Heating.

Community development director Gil Alvarado told councilmembers during the last council meeting that one of the two owners of the business is not interested in being annexed into city limits.

Councilmembers expressed interest in annexing the property along with the PUD annexation.

Councilman Dick Deane said he wanted to start the annexation process for the Basin Refrigeration and Heating property as soon as possible.

"We can't create islands when we annex," said councilman Richard Pearce.

City attorney Jim Whitaker told councilmembers state law allows city council to pass a resolution annexing property if there is no resident living on the property.

If live within the proposed annexed property, the decision is decided by a majority vote of the residents, he said.

City staff said the PUD annexed area will be zoned as public.

Mayor Jon Lane said he wanted additional contact to be made with the property owners of Basin Refrigeration and Heating to see what their thoughts are on annexation.

"I don't want to force someone to do something they don't feel comfortable doing," he said.

The only unincorporated island property within Moses Lake is the Grant County Fire District 5 station, by state Route 17, stated city manager Joe Gavinski.

The city decided to stop fire station annexation efforts after it was clear residents in the area did not want to annex, explained Gavinski.

The PUD annexation has been a few years in the making, said Alvarado.

The initial intent of the PUD was to add on to the warehouse and make it a service wash area to clean PUD vehicles, said Alvarado.