City council votes to apply for a UGA land swap
Last updated 12/16/2022 at 3:12pm
CHENEY – Council voted 4 to 3 in favor of Resolution F-092, to apply for an Urban Growth Area land swap of 10 acres from the south of Cheney to the north.
Prior to discussion and voting, a presentation was given by representatives of a local developer, Cheney Cohousing, regarding the potential for developing the area.
Councilman Vincent Barthels commented on a request received by council that he recuse himself from participating in the voting on this resolution due to an alleged conflict of interest. “I can assure you that there is no conflict of interest between myself and the city in this matter.”
Barthels commented on the potential costs associated with the land swap, saying “What really concerns me are a few things. One is that if we add more traffic to the intersection of Paradise road and SR 904, it will become less safe, and any development to alleviate that problem could cost the tax payers. I think about the fiscal impact to our taxpayers concerning this swap and I struggle to see how a potential development in the proposed area would pay for itself.”
Councilman Paul Schmidt, speaking of the portion of Paradise road which could potentially become the city’s responsibility, said “I’m not in favor of annexation unless we have a means to provide funds for maintaining that area.”
Councilwoman Teresa Overhauser said “People are gonna want to live on the north side of Cheney going into the future. It only makes sense that, over time, that is going to be where development is headed.”
In response, councilwoman Jill Weiszmann said “I think we need to wait for the land quality study before moving forward with this. The intersection of Paradise and 904 is poorly designed and would become even more dangerous if this goes through.”
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