The Maple Valley City Council unanimously approved a purchase and sale agreement with the Tahoma School District for 8 acres of land at what is known as Summit Park.

The decision came after overwhelming support for the new Tahoma High School project was relayed from the public at the City Council meeting Monday night.

According to the city’s attorney, Jeff Taraday, the city won’t receive any actual money for the land. Instead, in exchange for the land, the district will grant the city an easement on the property that allows the city to use the new parking lot and access road during non-school hours and events.

Considering the parking lot and access road is expected to cost between $3 and $4 million, several council members stated that this was a very fair deal.

Access to the parking lot will allow the city to piggyback on the school’s project and develop the land for future park use if they can develop a mechanism to fund it.

“This [school] is going to be a huge economic boom for this community,” said Councilmember Dana Parnello.

The city council also unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding Monday night, which states that they will continue to work with the district on establishing access rights to current and future district athletic facilities.

The “yes” vote did not approve an actual interlocal agreement between the two parties, only an “agreement to seek agreement,” said Taraday.

Taraday stated that the “most binding” item on the agreement is the May 11, 2015 deadline.

If an agreement between the city and the district is not made by that date, a mediation process will begin between the two parties.