The Southwest Suburban Sewer District rejected on Aug. 2 Cheri McWethy's petition for extension of sewer service to the North Hill neighborhood in Des Moines.

Instead, sewer district commissioners initiated a proposal to bring sewers to about 60 percent of that area, said Commissioner William A. Tracy.

If approved by residents within the proposed service boundary, the 15-year project would cost an estimated $1.69 million.

McWethy is a North Hill resident and the owner of C Realty in Burien.

The Des Moines City Council had approved on July 26 the first proposal by Southwest Suburban Sewer, based on McWethy's petition, for a utility local improvement district to bring service to North Hill.

But, Tracy explained, the sewer district commission rejected that petition because some residents of the neighborhood had asked to have their names removed, and the situation required investigation.

"We had our attorneys look at the issue and they referred it to some other attorneys, with more experience in bond counsel in particular, as to whether or not it would be wise to proceed when there was a question as to the validity of all of the signatures," Tracy said.

"There's such a slim margin of 51 percent. If just one of the signatures was to be changed it would move it below the 50 percent threshold."

Des Moines Mayor Bob Sheckler noted the matter at this point is a non-issue as far as the city is concerned.

Tracy said the commission made the second proposal for sewer service "because there was a rather large number of people that were interested in getting sewer in the majority of the area."

The revised proposed area from South 204th to South 208th streets includes 62 parcels, said Jodie Baker, the district's senior inspector.

Residents who own larger parcels of land will carry more weight in the sewer decision because the percentage for or against is based on the percentage of land owned.

"Ownership is dependent on the size of the property. That's according to the (Revised Code of Washington). We don't have any power over that," Tracy said.

Baker said the cost of sewer service per North Hill household served would be $20,124, including the district's general facility charge. Simple interest would be included in that charge.

It would be paid as an assessment, and the district will issue bonds to finance construction.

Residents opposed to bringing sewer service to North Hill will have an opportunity to stop the Utility Local Improvement District from forming, Tracy said.

If owners of 40 percent of the land there present the commission with written affirmation that they do not want sewer service, the project would be stalled, he said.

The time frame for written comment continues until 10 days after a public hearing, which is scheduled for Sept. 4 at the sewer district's office in Burien.