Ephrata advances comprehensive plan work as large Desert Plains subdivision nears next phase

City staff on Tuesday told the Ephrata City Council that a multiyear update to the comprehensive plan and several large development projects will shape the city’s growth over the coming years.

The Community Development report, delivered by staff member Ron, said the city is generally tracking near its five‑year averages for permits but flagged several big projects that skewed recent totals, including a multiunit complex and a hotel that drove higher valuations last year. “We are growing. We are keeping busy,” Ron said as he reviewed building‑permit trends.

Why it matters: The council approved scoping and partial funding for a periodic comprehensive plan update that staff and consultant SCJ Alliance will carry out over roughly the next two years. That work will feed updates to impact fees, the finance and resiliency elements, and a downtown floodplain study, officials said. The city has budgeted $125,000 for impact‑fee work this year and plans another $125,000 next year; staff also applied for a $150,000 climate resiliency grant and a separate $125,000 periodic‑update grant to supplement the work.

Key development projects and planning issues
- Desert Plains subdivision: The applicant proposes a 329‑lot subdivision on the city’s northeast side. Staff said the first phase (about 45 lots) is nearly built out and the developer will soon seek approval for the next phase, which will require a lift station and other infrastructure. The development agreement currently allows the developer to pay a fee in lieu of building on‑site park space; the fee in lieu remains $1,800 per lot under the existing agreement. Staff said the developer has recently requested variances for yard setbacks and corner lots; staff may authorize 25% adjustments before a true variance is required, but applicants must justify requests.
- Microtel Inn: A Microtel Inn near Walmart received building permits for foundation and site work; hydrants and fire protections must be in place before combustible construction continues.
- Railway Estate subdivision: A 51‑lot project remains stalled after failing to provide the two access points required for developments over 30 lots.
- Accessory dwelling units and code enforcement: Staff noted a pending accessory dwelling unit standard from state legislation and said the city still needs to fill a code‑enforcement position; until that hire is made, enforcement is largely complaint‑driven.
- Hearing examiner process: The city has shifted some subdivision approvals to a hearing examiner (a neutral, legally trained third party). Staff said the change streamlines review and reduces potential liability that can arise when elected bodies act as the final decisionmaker.

Council and staff emphasized public engagement for the comprehensive plan update. Aaron of SCJ Alliance will attend the next meeting to present the scope, timeline and budget for the periodic update, staff said. The scope, staff added, includes traffic and parks impact‑fee analysis and a resiliency element tied to the climate grant application.

Attendance and next steps
Staff asked the council to encourage qualified residents to apply to serve on the planning commission; the commission currently has four members and has been short one seat for roughly the last year and a half. The planning portion of the periodic update will include additional public and council participation, staff said, and the next formal public hearing on a site‑specific rezone tied to a reuse of a concrete commercial building will go before the planning commission next week.

For now, council directed staff to continue the scoping work and return with the consultant presentation and budget details at a future meeting.