A local developer was green-lighted to proceed with a 20-home development on Enumclaw’s west side, adding a second phase to the Meadow Park subdivision along 244th Avenue Southeast.

The formal go-ahead came during the Oct. 23 meeting of the Enumclaw City Council.

The applicant, Carl Sanders, had received final approval earlier this year for Phase I, which called for turning almost 10 vacant acres of land into 24 homesites. The 20 lots in Phase 2 are to be spread over 5.4 acres immediately north of Phase I.

The Meadow Park development sits on the east side of 244th, directly north of Rainier Trails Park.

Council members were told that necessary utilities have been installed at the site, plans are in place for impact fees to be paid to the local fire department and school district, and a fee has been paid to the city in lieu of dedicated park space.

With a recommendation from city staff to move the development forward, the council voted 6-1 in favor of final plat approval, with Councilwoman Kim Lauk dissenting.

Also during their Oct. 23 session, council members declared an emergency and waived certain bidding requirements as part of an effort to quickly replace a ceiling at the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

On Oct. 1, a hose failure resulted in a stream of treated water soaking the ceiling, along with insulation and a vapor barrier. City crews performed some of the clean-up work but an insurance adjuster recommended a professional contractor be brought on board to handle the rest.

Much of the urgency was due to the potential for mold developing in the working environment. By declaring an emergency, the city does not have to go through the traditional bidding process, thus saving time.

It is estimated the repair work would normally total about $30,000; however, having it done on an emergency basis could bump the cost by perhaps 30 percent, the council was told.

City Administrator Chris Searcy reported the city’s policy has a $25,000 deductible; insurance will pay the remainder of the cost.