Mae Valley development to hook up to Moses Lake municipal water, sewer

MOSES LAKE — Residents of a 24-lot development in Mae Valley can hook up to Moses Lake municipal sewer and water services, but will be required to become part of the city if city officials decide to annex it in the future.

The Oasis Development is on Mae Valley Road, about one-half mile from its intersection with Westshore Drive. Municipal engineer Richard Law said Thursday it’s outside Moses Lake’s city limits, but in the city’s urban growth boundary, so the city has the option to provide municipal water and sewer.

However, the property doesn’t touch the existing city boundary, Law said, so it can’t be annexed into the city until the property between it and the city boundary is annexed.

Moses Lake City Council members on Tuesday approved an agreement with the developers. The city will set aside water and sewer hookups for the 24 lots for up to two years. The developer will be responsible, and will pay for, extending the water and sewer lines to the property, Law said.

During the council discussion Tuesday, city manager Allison Williams said it’s been her experience agreements, such as Oasis’, tend to get forgotten over time, or as the property is sold. As a result, city officials added a clause stating anyone buying property in the development must be notified of the agreement.

Law said the development was a “hybrid between a city and county-type street layout.” He cited curbs as an example, as the development included curbs and walking paths along the streets rather than sidewalks. If the property is annexed by the city, the developer will be required to bring the property up to city standards, Law said.