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Home My WebLink AboutFOF - Annexation of 10 Propertiesr FINDINGS OF FACT FOR ANNEXATION On September 4, 2002, the City Council had a discussion on proposed areas to be annexed into the City of Rexburg. These areas were recommended for annexation by the City Staff due to proposed growth in the area. The Council recommended that the City adopt a Zone for Rural Residential Subdivisions that are proposed to be annexed into the City. Parcels 5 and 10 were recommended to be removed from this annexation proposal. Parcel 10 is an existing neighborhood that is connected to City services. 2. On September 5, 2002, the Planning and Zoning Commission held a public hearing on one of several annexation proposals in the year 2002. This annexation included portions of the Teton Lakes Golf Course, Madison County shops and sheds, and other properties adjacent to the east side of Highway 20. The hearing was held to take public input on the proposal. These parcels were intended to be annexed into the City of Rexburg under Ordinance 881. 3. On September 25, 2002, the City Council and Planning and Zoning Commission held a joint work meeting to discuss growth issues for the City. One of the issues discussed was additional zones for rural residential subdivisions. The Planning Commission recommended the Rural Residential 2 (RR2) zone to be incorporated into the City of Rexburg zoning ordinance. 4. On October 2, 2002, the City Council approved the proposed annexation of seven parcels as discussed in item two above. 5. On October 21, 2002, the City Clerk sent the Notice of Public Hearing for Planning and Zoning Commission, including the annexation plan, proposed annexation map, and a information sheet on some of the costs of annexation. This was published in the local newspaper on October 23, 2002, and November 18, 2002. A notice was posted on parcels that were part of the annexation proposal. These notices were sent to all property owners within 300 feet of the above mentioned property. 6. On November 15, 2002, the City Clerk sent the Notice of Public Hearing for the City Council, including the annexation plan, proposed annexation map, and a information sheet on some of the costs of annexation. This was published in the local newspaper on November 18, 2002, and December 16, 2002. A notice was posted on parcels that were part of the annexation proposal. These notices were sent to all property owners within 300 feet of the above mentioned property. On November 21, 2002, the Planning & Zoning Commission for the City of Rexburg requested the public to offer input on the proposed annexation. Winston Dyer explained the issues concerning the proposed annexation of ten properties into the City of Rexburg. Winston indicated that the proposed annexation from the County to the City limits is to maintain orderly growth. He also indicated that there were some property owners on the west side of the City that had requested annexation of their properties. Madison County Planning and Zoning Coordinator, DaNiel Jose, testified in favor of the annexation on behalf of the County. She mentioned that the County is concerned with preserving the quality of the ground water in the area. It was the opinion of the Madison County Planning and Zoning Commission and Departments that the proposed areas need to be annexed into the City. There was some concern with the Zoning that would be applied to the areas to be annexed. There were some residents that gave testimony opposing the annexation proposal. There were other residents that sent in letters requesting that the Planning Commission deny the request. Kurt Hibbert indicated that he would schedule neighborhood meetings to provide additional information to the residents on the costs of annexation. It was recommend by Planning & Zoning that this request be approved for public hearing before the City Council. 8. On December 5, 2002, the City mailed notices to concerned neighbors to inform them of a neighborhood meeting to discuss the annexation proposal. The neighborhood meeting for the Widdison Addition and properties between 440 South 2000 West and Main Street was held on December 10, 2002. The neighborhood meeting for the Willowbrook and Rexburg Acres Additions and properties between 7`h South and 440 South 2000 West was held on December 11, 2002. These meetings were held to inform the neighbors of the connection fee costs and the monthly fees for water and sewer. They were allowed to ask questions of concern on costs to be annexed into the City. The City staff responded with information on monthly fees and connection fees associated with annexation. The neighbors seemed very concerned about the additional costs that they would be expected to pay. 9. On December 18, 2002, the City of Rexburg held a public hearing concerning the annexation of ten tracts of land. The City Council accepted written and verbal input concerning the annexation. Many of the residents testified against the proposal due to the costs of annexation that would be imposed upon them. There were comments from the public with regards to increased traffic, safety, future roads and property values. There seemed to be a need to defer the vote on the annexation to a later date. This would allow the neighbors to gather more information on costs of annexation and the reason the City has proposed this annexation. The City Council read the annexation ordinance for the first reading with future readings to be scheduled at a later date. 10. On January 8, 2003, the City Council reviewed the Rural Residential zone that was to be applied to rural residential subdivisions for a 2nd reading. After discussion, the Council moved to read the proposed RR2 zone a second time. The Council reviewed the annexation proposal to be considered for a second reading. DaNiel Jose, director of the County Planning and Zoning office, gave testimony to the commission for the need to annex the proposed areas into the City. She discussed the enhanced septic systems that are required in the County on lots that are less than two acres. She mentioned that district 7 health and the department of developmental quality recommend that this area be serviced by a central sewer system. She commented on the failed septic systems and the high ground water that had caused problems in crawl spaces in the area. No action was taken. The Council scheduled a work meeting to discuss the annexation proposal at 6 p.m. on the 22' of January. II. On January 22, 2003, at 6 p.m. the Council held a work meeting to discuss the annexation issues that were raised by the residents. The public was invited to give input on the proposed annexation. They identified six areas of concern to be discussed: 1. Sewer and water installed at the same time. 2. Waiving front footage fees similar to the South 5" West annexation 3. Waiving additional fees without precedent 4. Sidewalk costs in context with impact fees 5. Impact fee ordinance 6. City/County discussion for shared cost expansion of City services An additional work meeting was scheduled for the 5" of February for continued discussion on the annexation proposal. 12. On January 22, 2003, the City Council took up the proposed annexation ordinance for discussion under the topic of old business on the agenda. After discussion on the annexation proposal the Council moved to approve the 2"d reading of the annexation ordinance. 13. On February 5, 2003, at 6 p.m. the Council held a work meeting to continue discussion on issues residents raised about the proposed annexation of their properties. The public was invited to give input on the proposed annexation. The Council began discussing each neighborhood independently in reference to mitigating factors that would work well for their subdivision. 14. On February 19, 2003, at 6 p.m. the Council held a third work meeting to discuss the proposed annexation. The public was invited to give input on the proposed annexation. Mayor Sutherland reminded the Council the need to annex for orderly planning of City growth. Different options were discussed that would allow the residents to annex at less costs. Another work meeting was scheduled to continue the annexation discussion on the 26' of February at 7 p.m. 15. On February 26, 2003, at 7 p.m. the Council held a fourth work meeting to discuss the proposed annexation. They developed specific language that would mitigate the cost and time of connection for the residents of the subdivisions to be annexed. This substantially reduced or delayed the cost of annexation for the residents. Many residents expressed thanks to the Council for their patience and understanding of the residents concerning this critical discussion. The Mayor and Council indicated that these proposals for annexation would be in writing for review on Monday, March 3, 2003, in Ordinance form. 16. On March 3, 2003, the draft Ordinance was made available to the public for review. 17. On April 2, 2003, the City of Rexburg held a public hearing concerning the annexation of ten tracts of land. Ordinance 887 had its 3`d reading. A motion was made and passed to accept Ordinance 887 for the annexation of said properties. D� Step eh Zollinger, City Morney