Body
Department of Community Development
Reference:
To: Mayor Richard N. McLean and Members of City Council
Through: Manuel Esquibel, City Manager
Prepared By: Jason Bradford, AICP, Planning Manager
Date Prepared: August 24, 2015
PURPOSE
In order to proceed with the annexation of this property, the Council must review the annexation petition and application, conduct a public hearing, approve a resolution for annexation eligibility, and complete the first reading of the annexation ordinance.
BACKGROUND
The approximate two parcels, 1.590 acres and 1.208 acres, to be known as the North Star Annexation (the “Property”), are currently zoned A-3 (Agricultural) through Adams County. The Property is located east of S. 50th Avenue and is off of Grosbeak Street and also includes a portion of the 50th Avenue right of way. The Property is 100% contiguous with the existing Brighton city limits. The City of Brighton Comprehensive Plan, Figure 4: Future Land Use Plan, designates the Property as being appropriate for Employment purposes, but is directly adjacent to residential.
CRITERIA BY WHICH COUNCIL MUST CONSIDER THE ITEM
§ Comprehensive Plan: The annexation of this parcel is consistent with the Comprehensive Plan, which designates this parcel as being located within the “Employment” area.
§ Colorado Revised Statutes: The City Council must determine whether the Annexation complies with the following statutory requirements set forth in the Colorado Revised Statutes:
Section 31-12-104
1. The following statutory limitations apply for eligibility for annexation:
a. Not less than 1/6th of the perimeter of the area to be annexed is contiguous with the City of Brighton.
b. A “community of interest” exists between the municipality;
c. The area to be annexed and said area is urban or is to be urbanized;
d. The area is integrated or capable of integration within the municipality.
e. If the contiguity requirement is met, the “community of interest” requirement is presumed unless two of the following exist:
§ Less than 50% of the adult residents use facilities of the municipality (recreation, social, church, commercial, etc.), and less than 25% of the adults are employed in the municipality; or
§ One-half of more of the land is agricultural and the owners say it will stay agricultural for at least five years; or
§ It is not physically practicable to extend urban services on the same terms and conditions as other citizens of the municipality.
Section 31-12-105
2. The following statutory limitations apply to proposed annexations:
a. Cannot separate property held in identical ownership;
b. Cannot annex property more than 20 acres and more than $200,000 in assessed value without the written consent of the owners, unless entirely within the municipality;
c. No resolution or petition is valid if annexation proceedings have commenced for another municipality;
d. Cannot extend municipal boundaries more than three miles in one year;
e. There must be a plan in place regarding services and land uses;
f. If the annexation includes a portion of a street or an alley, all of the street or alley must be annexed; and
g. Cannot deny reasonable access to adjoining landowners as a result of proposed annexation.
Section 31-12-108
3. The following statutory requirements regarding notice are applicable to annexations:
a. Publication of the date, time, and place of the public hearing must be published once a week for four successive weeks;
b. The first publication must be at least thirty days before the hearing;
c. Copy of the notice, resolution, and petition must be sent by registered mail to the County Commissioners, County Attorney, special districts, and the school district at least twenty-five days before the hearing.
(Notice to special districts and school district does not confer right of review.)
Section 31-12-108.5
4. The statutes relating to annexations require an Annexation Impact Report for areas in excess of 10 acres to include the following:
a. The municipality must prepare the Impact Report;
b. A map showing present and proposed boundaries, utility infrastructure, streets, land use;
c. Addresses, the provision of municipal services, the method of financing, effect on school districts, etc.;
d. It must be filed twenty-five days before the hearing;
e. One copy of the Annexation Impact Report must be filed with the County Commissioners within five days;
f. Not required for annexation of ten acres or less, or if the County Commissioners agree to waive the report.
Section 31-12-109
5. The annexation statutes provide the following provisions regarding the public hearing on the annexation:
a. Any person may appear and present evidence;
b. All proceedings must be recorded.
Section 31-12-110
6. After the hearing, the governing body must set forth findings of fact and conclusions in a resolution regarding:
a. Whether Sections 31-12-104 and 105 C.R.S. have been met;
b. Whether an election is required;
c. Whether additional terms and conditions are to be imposed.
A finding that the proposed annexation does not comply with Sections 31-12-104 and 105 shall terminate the proceeding.
PUBLIC INQUIRY
Notice of the public hearing was published in the Standard Blade on July 29, August 5, 12 and 19, 2015; and notification of the public hearing has been provided to all applicable entities as required by C.R.S. §31-12-108.5. Because the area to be annexed is less than ten (10) acres, no Annexation Impact Report is required. The Planning Division has received no formal comments regarding the proposed annexation.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
This request for annexation complies with the requirements of the Municipal Annexation Act, C.R.S. §31-12-101 et seq. and the Property is eligible for annexation. The requisite findings of eligibility are specifically set forth in the attached Resolution.
This request for annexation complies with the Comprehensive Plan.
OPTIONS FOR COUNCIL CONSIDERATION
Approve the Resolution of Annexation Eligibility and Annexation Ordinance, on first reading.
Not Approve the Resolution of Annexation Eligibility and Annexation Ordinance, on first reading, with specific findings to justify the denial.
ATTACHMENTS
Resolution of Eligibility