Title
Approval of the Proposed Cooper Point Area (County Island) Annexation Ordinance
Recommended Action
Committee Recommendation:
Not referred to a committee.
City Manager Recommendation:
Move to approve the proposed Cooper Point Area annexation ordinance on second reading.
Body
Issue:
Whether to approve an ordinance to annex the Cooper Point Urban Growth Area island.
Staff Contact:
Jennifer Kenny, Associate Planner, Community Planning & Development, 360.753.8031
Presenter(s):
None. Consent Item.
Background and Analysis:
[Same Background and Analysis as 1st Reading]
The annexation of county islands occurring entirely within the City's boundaries generally creates a more logical boundary and more reasonable service areas for City services. Our Comprehensive Plan, Urban Growth Management Agreement 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 Cooper Point 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. The same on-duty deputy may be simultaneously providing law enforcement service to Steamboat Island, Little Rock and Summit Lake. 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. The fireworks ban does not apply to the county islands, leading to confusing and inconsistent regulations.
No change in zoning (RLI) is required since the existing zoning is the same as surrounding City areas. Moreover, the area is "pre-zoned" RLI pursuant to the Olympia zoning map and the future land use map.
On April 9, 2013 the City Council directed staff to pursue annexation of the Cooper Point island through the Interlocal Agreement Method, and on September 5, 2013 staff held a public meeting on the proposal. On October 8, 2013 Council held a public hearing on the proposed annexation and directed staff to bring an ordinance forward on October 15, 2013.
Neighborhood/Community Interests (if known):
Property owners and residents of the area have expressed an interest in the implications of annexation. During the Council's public hearing, some residents who live in another UGA island raised concerns over the Interlocal Agreement process. Two residents of the affected area expressed concern about loss of agricultural uses of the land, following annexation. Staff clarified that their current farming practices would be "grandfathered in" and the use would be permitted in perpetuity, unless there was a year's suspension of the non-conforming use.
Pursuant to RCW 35A.14.900, the residents may be served by LeMay solid waste collection for about 7 years, depending on the agreement reached. Then the City will become the solid waste service provider.
Options:
1. Move to approve the 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 estimated.