East Wenatchee begins new 52.8-acre annexation process

EAST WENATCHEE — The East Wenatchee City Council has begun a new annexation process for 52.8 acres near Fourth Street Southeast and South Kentucky Avenue after an earlier effort involving a larger area failed to gain enough property-owner support.

The council voted 4-0 on Sept. 15 to initiate proceedings for the revised annexation. Community Development Director Curtis Lillquist said the proposal is a new process rather than a continuation of the previous petition.

An earlier version of the annexation came before the council in July 2024. After the council initiated proceedings, proponents needed signatures from property owners representing at least 60% of the assessed value within the proposed boundary to move forward.

They were unable to reach that threshold.

Proponents subsequently reduced the proposed annexation area and withdrew the earlier petition May 18 before submitting a new petition with the smaller boundary.

The new proposal covers approximately 52.8 acres. Lillquist said property owners representing 67.4% of the assessed value within the new boundary have signed the initial petition to begin the annexation process.

The area is currently zoned residential low density and residential medium density. As part of initiating the process, the council accepted the proposed boundary and required that the area receive residential low-density and residential medium-density zoning consistent with Resolution 2023-45 if annexed.

Properties within the annexation area would also assume their share of the city's existing indebtedness.

The council's action begins the annexation process but does not complete it. Additional steps are required before the properties can formally become part of East Wenatchee.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media