PORT ANGELES — Now that two property owners have requested annexation of lands in the city’s western urban growth area south of U.S. Highway 101, the city is studying the costs of providing services to that area.
City Engineer Gary Kenworthy said the information will be presented to property owners in the proposed annexation area so they can decide whether to support the proposed annexation and the separate utility extension.
“We’re trying to provide sewer to save them costs and the property needed for septic drainfields. Those are the main advantages,” Kenworthy said.
City sewer service eliminates the need for septic tanks, drainfields and their maintenance, he said.
“They’ve requested annexation, so the city is investigating the costs of providing sewer, water and electrical service,” Kenworthy said.
“I want to make clear this is not an LID (local improvement district). Property owners only pay these connection costs when they hook up to the system,” he said.
“Utility extension and annexation are separate issues.”
Property owners outside the city limit who receive city services pay a 50 percent surcharge.
Annexation into the city eliminates that surcharge, which is one of the advantages of annexation, Kenworthy said.
Two seek annexation
Tuesday night’s annexation request to the City Council was submitted by Bill Hermann, who owns Blue Mountain Leasing, and George Peabody, who was representing Lakeside Industries as the company’s local plant manager.
The proposed annexation area includes property south of Highway 101, extending west of the city limit at Old Joe Road about 1½ miles to the edge of the western urban growth area opposite Reddick Road.
The property includes Lakeside Industries, Blue Mountain Leasing and the Eclipse Industrial Park, site of Port Angeles Hardwood’s proposed alder sawmill.