Title
Agenda Item:
Approval of Annexation Procedures for Division Street UGA Island
Body
Issue:
Should the City pursue annexation of the Urban Growth Area (UGA) island on Division Street by Direct Petition method?
City Manager's Recommendation:
Move to authorize staff to initiate annexation by the Direct Petition method (RCW 35A.14.120) - the City Engineer would sign the Petition for Annexation on behalf of specific properties.
Staff Contact:
Jennifer Kenny, Associate Planner, 360.753.8031
Presenter(s):
None - consent agenda item.
Background and Analysis:
State law provides for three general methods of annexation; by election, by agreement among the City, the County and the Fire District, and by petition by the property owners. The last is the most common in Olympia, in part because utility service agreements often authorize the City Engineer to sign the petition on behalf of the property owners.
The proposed annexation area is comprised of 26 parcels totaling 7.48 acres, much of which is in the Westchester Village Subdivision. When Westchester Village was platted in 2009, a power of attorney was granted to the City of Olympia, providing signature authority to complete the Petition of Annexation for the parcels within the subdivision.
The City Council directed staff to pursue annexation of the Division Street UGA island (an area fully surrounded by the city). One potential method was the interlocal agreement method requiring concurrence with the County and the McClane Fire District. In the interim, the value of properties for which the City can sign the petition have increased to the point where annexation by the petition method is now viable. The petition method of annexation is more common and therefore considered easier by staff than the 'interlocal government agreement' method of annexation. Therefore, City staff proposed to instead use the petition process in this area and seeks confirmation that the Council's direction to pursue annexation of this area included the Direct Petition method.
Our Comprehensive Plan, Urban Growth Management Agreement (UGMA) and Countywide Planning Policies include policy statements regarding growth management and annexation. Generally, the goals are to support annexations which create logical boundaries and reasonable service areas within the growth areas (UGA). This proposal is consistent with these policies.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Property owners and residents of the area have expressed an interest in the implications of annexation. If Council authorizes proceeding by the petition method, the staff will issue public information and host a neighborhood meeting to answer questions, and schedule a Council public hearing regarding the proposal.
Options:
1. Move to direct the City Engineer to sign the Petition for Annexation.
2. Move to not initiate annexation by petition method.