Title
Agenda Item:
Adoption of Ordinance Annexing the Division Street Area (County Island)
Body
Issue:
The attached Ordinance was passed on first reading on August 20, 2013, and is now presented for adoption on second reading.
City Manager's Recommendation:
Move to adopt the attached Ordinance on second reading.
Staff Contact:
Todd Stamm, Principal Planner, 360.753.8597
Presenter(s):
None, Consent Calendar item.
Background and Analysis:
The annexation of County islands occurring entirely within the City's boundaries generally creates more logical boundary and more reasonable service areas for City services. Our Comprehensive Plan and Countywide Planning Policies include policy statements regarding growth management and annexation. Generally, the goals support annexations which create logical boundaries and reasonable service areas within the Urban Growth Areas (UGA).
The proposed Division Street Annexation is a UGA "island," in that it is surrounded on all sides by the City of Olympia. Law enforcement is technically served by the Thurston County Sheriff's office that also serves the rural area. Thus in non-emergency circumstances, law enforcement response times may not be what the City's urban residents expect. However, emergency services are likely to be provided by the City of Olympia even though the properties are not contributing taxes to the City for those urban services. Staff recommends acceptance of the annexed area to increase efficiency of service delivery such as fire, police and waste removal services. Annexing the area will also support consistency among existing City codes such as the ban on fireworks.
No change in zoning (R 4-8) is required since the existing zoning is the same as surrounding City areas. Further, the area is "pre-zoned" R 4-8 pursuant to the Olympia Zoning Map.
On April 9, 2013 the City Council directed staff to pursue annexation of the Division Street island through the Direct Petition Method, and on May 8, 2013 staff held a public meeting on the proposal. On August 20, 2013, Council held a public hearing on the proposed annexation and passed it on first reading. The Boundary Review Board was notified of the proposed annexation. The 45-day opportunity for interested parties to request review by the Board has expired. Therefore the annexation ordinance is now presented to Council for adoption on second reading. Upon approval the annexation would be effective five days after publication of the ordinance and staff would notify all interested parties accordingly.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Property owners and residents of the area have expressed an interest in the implications of annexation. One resident of the proposed annexation area attended the May 8th public meeting and one resident submitted a comment. No one spoke at the Public Hearing.
Options:
1. Approve the attached annexation ordinance on second reading.
2. Deny the proposed annexation and ordinance.
3. Postpone deliberation of the ordinance until a later date.
Financial Impact:
The City already provides many services to this area. Due to the small area, few to no financial impacts are expected.