STAFF REPORT
Planning and Development Committee, June 19, 2008
Implementation of Annexation Program: Phase I
(PL08-039)
Consideration of beginning the implementation of
Phase I of the Town’s adopted Annexation Program
Speaker: Mr. Ricky Barker
From: Jeff Ulma, AICP, Director, Planning Department
Prepared by:
Ricky Barker, Associate Planning Director
Approved by: William B. Coleman, Jr., Town Manager
Approved by: Benjamin T. Shivar, Assistant Town Manager
Background:
In 2006, the Town Council adopted an Annexation Program to guide future annexation decisions and provide for an orderly and predictable extension of the Town’s municipal boundaries. This program identified areas that qualified for Town-initiated annexation and placed them in different phases or time periods for possible annexation by the Town. After its adoption in 2006, all owners whose property was identified in the program received a letter informing them of possible Town-initiated annexation and the associated time-frame when it could occur.
The program calls for staff to evaluate the areas covered in the program during even- numbered years to provide recommendations to Council on areas to annex. Staff has performed a preliminary evaluation of the Phase I areas which are included in the 2007-2011 time-frame. Based on this evaluation, staff recommends that all nine areas included in Phase I be pursued for possible Town-initiated annexation. One of the first steps in this process is for the Town to initiate the required Annexation Report and Plan of Service. The purpose of this document is to provide information about how each area qualifies for annexation, identify the major municipal services the Town will extend to the areas upon annexation, and describe the way the Town will finance expenditures related to annexation.
If Council directs staff to move forward on the process for possible Town-initiated annexation of these areas, staff will present a resolution of intent to annex in September/October of this year. If adopted, this resolution only begins the process to annex these areas; the earliest date for official action by Council to annex these properties is January/February 2009. Based on the results of the study and/or public feedback received through the required public hearing and informational session, Council may choose whether or not to annex all of the areas or only certain ones.
Fiscal Impact: The Town will hire an annexation consultant to assist in the preparation of the required annexation report and plan of services. This projected expenditure of $70,000 was included in the FY08 Budget.
Staff Recommendation: Direct staff to perform the required report and plan of service for possible Town-initiated annexation of all nine areas included in Phase I of the adopted Annexation Program.
