Othello annexes 445 acres east of 14th Avenue

OTHELLO — The Othello City Council voted unanimously during Monday’s regular meeting to annex a 445-acre portion of land east of 14th Avenue, from Lee Road to West Cunningham Road, including residential, commercial, and light industrial zoning.

“Staff recommends accepting the annexation with the proposed zoning,” said the City of Othello staff recommendation section of the annexation agenda memo. “Additional land is needed for residential development in order to reduce the housing shortage, and commercial development along Main Street at a major entrance to the city makes sense.”

According to the memo, the annexation was proposed by AJ and Jodi Ochoa. The proposed zoning designations included a section of light industrial zoning on the north end of the annexation, a section of commercial zoning on the south end and a residential designation between them.

City Council member John Lallas asked whether the council would have a chance to amend the zoning designations or if they would be set in stone once the council voted to approve the annexation. Lallas said he was concerned about the amount of light industrial zoning in the plan and its location away from where most of the city’s industrial zoning is currently located.

“Zoning can always be changed later,” said Anne Henning, the city of Othello Community Developer Director.

Acting as a representative of the Ochoa family, Gilbert Alvarado, with GAJ Urban Planning Services in Moses Lake, said that there is no specific project planned for the annexed land at this time, but that they are in talks with parties potentially interested in moving into Othello.

“Walmart is obviously an anchor in most jurisdictions,” said Alvarado. “We started having some discussions about what we could really do with that piece of land. Really you need to start off with the discussion of annexation. Otherwise talking to folks about development of that site really isn't going to go anywhere.”

Alvarado said that he agrees that some of the annexed land would be more useful to the city of Othello and its residents as a commercial zoning designation rather than a light industrial designation.

“I was talking to the Ochoas and the team they have and one of the thoughts I had for them is that rather than seeing that light industrial at all along Lee, you have commercial on that side,” said Alvarado. “So, basically you have commercial, residential, commercial, because there are folks who are interested in some commercial development along Lee, not something that would be listed in light industrial provisions.”

“They can’t make that request right now until it’s annexed,” said Henning. “This is the first step and then they can do the second step of proposing changes to the zoning.”

Alvarado said that he would continue to pursue that zoning designation change at the proper point in the procedure. Lallas confirmed that the city council would then address those potential changes.

“So basically we’re just saying that as it stands today this is the way things are, but in the future, you can make recommendations on what you want,” said Lallas.

Gabriel Davis may be reached at gdavis@columbiabasinherald.com. Download the Columbia Basin Herald app on iOS and Android.