Fairfield Mayor David Hanks believes two annexation proposals presented to the city's Planning and Zoning Commission could bring substantial economic benefits.
"I think it's one of the best opportunities Fairfield's had," Hanks said.
Before the annexations can be approved, the city will have to consider the results of a study being conducted by Sunrise Engineering of Boise that is looking at the city's water and sewer system. The annexation applicants are paying for the study.
Developers would likely be asked to pay a significant portion of the cost to add capacity to Fairfield's sewer treatment lagoons and drill several new wells, Hanks said.
Developers CSF Ventures and Royal Forks Restaurant Corp. are proposing the two annexations on vacant farm land directly adjacent to the city. CSF Ventures' 272-acre property abuts the Fairfield city limits on the west and Royal Fork's 12.5 acre parcel is located on the city's northwest corner.
A P&Z meeting Feb. 8 to discuss the annexation proposals drew a significant number of Fairfield residents. The P&Z commissioners are seeking advice on how to zone the properties.
While the developers have expressed an interest in seeing the land primarily zoned for residential uses, there has been some discussion of having some portions of the properties zoned to allow for commercial use, Hanks said. A decision to zone some lands commercial would likely happen during the preliminary plat stage, he said.
"It kind of makes sense," Hanks said of allowing some commercial use.
Most people in Fairfield realize the city has to grow if it's to remain prosperous, the mayor said. Fairfield can't sustain itself from an economic standpoint without new growth, he added.
"It's definitely a busy time," Hanks said. "It's also a time of opportunity."
Still, the same people who realize new growth may benefit the city also have concerns about how it should take place, he said. "We also want to grow smart," Hanks said.
The two annexations aren't the only significant growth issues before the Fairfield P&Z.
The city also is reviewing a preliminary plat for a proposed development that would bring 118 new homes to the small Camas County town. The land the development has been proposed for was annexed into the city in the past 10 to 12 years, Hanks said.
Although the city doesn't have a development moratorium in place, the development proposal is on hold until the results of the water and sewer study are clear. Just as with the proposed annexations, the city's water and sewer system simply could not handle the added strain of 118 new homes, Hanks said.
Fairfield's water and sewer capacity is only good for a population of 600 people, he said.
"We currently have approximately 450 people in town," Hanks said. "Our current capacity won't allow for new growth."
