By Dennis Box, The Courier-Herald

Pierce County officials are asking Bonney Lake to consider a trade that could lead to annexation of a major portion of the South Plateau. The area known in county jargon as the County Urban Growth Area, or CUGA, includes Prairie Ridge, Ponderosa Estates and Rhododendron Park. The mobile home, modular home and housing subdivisions hold more than 12,000 people and would mean an immediate doubling in the population of Bonney Lake.

During a Nov. 3 council workshop, Mayor Bob Young told council members that county officials have asked if the city would consider taking the area. That would mean converting the area from a CUGA to an Urban Growth Area, or UGA, the first step to annexation.

"The county has really allowed that area to develop into a city," Young said. "But there are serious infrastructure problems involved. The cost of police coverage, sewer and water. They are asking us to talk about it."

The threat of a state and county mandate forcing the move is lingering behind the suggestion, according to city officials.

"They could force us to annex the CUGA," Councilman Neil Johnson said. "We'll see what they say, but I'm afraid it's not going to be pretty. The state is yelling about our density level. Because we're not packed in like sardines they can try to fine us. It's so frustrating they're trying to force us into being a big city."

The deal the county is talking about concerns five amendments to Bonney Lake's comprehensive plan that the city is requesting from the county in an attempt to square up its borders. For that action the county is asking the city to protect Fennel Creek as an environmental resource and to open a dialogue about the CUGA area on the South Plateau.

"Protection of Fennel Creek is already part of our long-range goal," the mayor said. "And there is the thought that they will eventually mandate we take the area."

The question the City Council must consider is whether it is better to negotiate now and get the best deal possible, or wait and be forced, and likely get less in return.

If Bonney Lake were to accept the South Plateau CUGA area, the city would be asking for county financial assistance with providing necessary services and asking to add the area surrounding Lake Tapps to be considered for annexation at a later date.

"We've agreed to talk, that's all." Young said. "The county is under the gun. They have a CUGA with a high population density that they allowed. It's a major problem."

Dennis Box can be rached at dbox@courierherald.com