Ephrata community development department highlights growth, housing projects during budget workshop

EPHRATA — Major construction projects, new housing developments and long-range planning efforts have kept the City of Ephrata community development department busy over the past year, with additional growth expected in 2027. 

During a budget workshop Tuesday, Ron Sell, Ephrata's community development director, updated the city council on completed projects, future developments and the department's priorities for the coming year. 

Sell said several major projects reached completion over the past year, including the new Grant County Jail, the Microtel Hotel and the Peachtree Drive road project.

"Here are just some of the projects just recently completed this last year. Grant County Jail is complete. The Microtel is complete and operating," Sell said. "Then the Peachtree Drive project, the road is in and much of the infrastructure is there." 

Development activity remains strong on Ephrata's south side, where several residential projects are moving through the planning process. Sell said the proposed Railway Estates subdivision includes 49 lots, while the next phase of SunWest could add approximately 108 lots. Additional lots are planned through the Peachtree Drive developments. According to Sell, construction on some of those projects could begin as early as next spring. 

The city is also seeing interest in multifamily housing. A proposed apartment development along Third Avenue could initially include 60 units, with developers exploring expansion to as many as 90 units. 

"When you're looking south toward Linda Ridge Loop, that kind of gives you an idea where that 60-unit apartment building would go," Sell said. 

Commercial and industrial development also remains active. Construction continues on the new Grant County PUD Service Center, while a proposed data center project known as the Salcido Project is being planned near Ridgeview Drive. Sell said the project already has a 40-megawatt power commitment from the utility. 

Another significant proposal is the Silicon Ranches solar development, which would span property inside both the city and county. 

"It's a solar project," Sell said. "We're still working on standards or expectations that we can work through with them so that we would have some kind of development agreement." 

Beyond development projects, much of the department's work over the next year will be focused on state-mandated planning requirements. 

The city is working with consultants to update its comprehensive plan and development regulations to comply with Washington's Growth Management Act and new climate resiliency requirements. Supporting studies, including a housing needs assessment, land capacity analysis and affordable housing review, have already been completed. Drafts of several key plan elements are also finished. 

"We are mandated by the state to get those done by the end of June of 2027," Sell said. 

The department is also preparing to implement traffic and park impact fees intended to help ensure future growth contributes toward infrastructure improvements. 

"New developments will pay their fair share to maintain acceptable levels of service," according to the department's presentation. 

Looking ahead, Sell said the department's priorities include restoring a full-time permit technician position, adding dedicated building inspection and code enforcement staffing and reducing reliance on contracted inspectors. The department is also seeking to carry over grant funds and contract balances that will help complete comprehensive plan updates and climate resiliency work. 

"We are struggling there," Sell said regarding staffing needs. "What we would like to do is separate out code enforcement from building inspection." 

City Clerk Rob Miller said the city is now hiring for a permit technician which will help with the staffing in the development department. 

“The community development staff, including our building official, code enforcement official, and permit technician, have been working very hard to keep up with an extraordinary amount of work as the city grows and evolves, and we would like to just commend them for their efforts to service residents of Ephrata,” Miller said.  

Sell said the ongoing planning efforts and new development proposals illustrate continued growth in Ephrata, requiring the city to balance new housing, industrial expansion and infrastructure planning while meeting state requirements. 

"We are working towards that June 2027 completion date," Sell said regarding the city's comprehensive planning updates.