By Dennis Box, The Courier-Herald

The Bohemian Estates development appears to have moved a step closer to becoming part of Bonney Lake.

At the March 23 City Council meeting, council members voted to move the annexation discussion to a workshop yesterday (Tuesday).

Bohemian Estates is a 31-acre development being built by Bonney Lake resident Ludvik Stribrny, owner of Euro-way Homes Inc.

Stribrny is planning to build 33 to 35 homes on 10,000 to 15,000 square foot lots. The remainder of the property would be open spaces and parks.

The design is for a private, gated community with homes beginning at $600,000.

"I hope people understand I don't build cracker boxes," Stribrny said. "Upscale neighborhoods is the only thing we do. There are already a lot of entry level homes in Bonney Lake. There are not too many at this level."

One of the sticking points that earlier stopped the annexation proceeding for Bohemian Estates was the issue of water. At the Jan. 20 Workshop the annexation process was voted down 5 to 2.

During the February City Council retreat, members agreed on a plan allowing people outside the city limits, not already hooked up to Bonney Lake water, to use Tacoma Water.

"The Tacoma Water agreement is a good idea," Deputy Mayor Dan Swatman said. "Whether it works out when you pencil out the economics remains to be seen."

Another factor in the process is the Jan. 29 State Supreme Court ruling reversing its earlier decision declaring the petition method of annexation unconstitutional.

The petition method requires signatures from owners representing 60 percent of the assessed value of the area.

The previous method called for a vote of 50 percent, plus one, for annexation to proceed.

In 2001 the city tried to annex the 31 acres of Bohemian Estates and another 87 acres directly south of the area. The entire 118 acres is known as Annexation Area 3.

Annexation of the area failed by a vote of 12-6.

"We would like the whole area to square up our borders," Councilman Jim Rackley said. "The whole thing needs to be discussed to decide which is the best way to go. It's an honor to have that development in the city."

A number of options are open to the Council including annexing only the 31 acres for Bohemian Estates.

The Council could require a "Annexation Utility Agreement." This option would mean that the development would be built as part of Pierce County, then annexed by the city.'

"If we wait until after it is built," Rackley said, "there are all kinds of fees the city will not get that goes to the county."

Stribrny stated which ever options the Council decides, he will still build the development.

"Which ever way they decide I will still build a beautiful neighborhood," Stribrny said "I will bring in lots of tax money to the city. They know what they are getting from me."

Dennis Box can be reached at dbox@courierherald.com