It’s to be expected. Especially in the Valley, most are leery of bigger government, and annexing more property into a municipality literally makes that government larger. But like eating vegetables or taking out the trash, annexation is a chore city officials need to tackle, no matter how unpleasant.
While the city has been gleaning information about annexing a number of areas north, east, south and west of Wasilla, recent meetings have been held to gather public input.
|
|
For example, as the Valley continues to outpace the state’s growth rate, Wasilla and Palmer have continually been asked by property owners to be annexed into the cities. This has created some “enclaves” within the cities, which are islands of property surrounded by city limits but not within a city’s boundaries. These enclaves can pose potential problems with emergency response and police protection.
Annexation can also be beneficial in smoothing out the city’s boundaries and expanding its footprint for collecting sales tax.
But we cannot forget that annexation is not just about growth and expansion. It’s about individual property owners. Unless there’s an overwhelming and convincing overall public need involved, annexing someone’s property into the city needs to be a mutual decision. The city has in the past required petitions for annexation to be signed by 100 percent of the affected property owners. Now, that 100 percent standard is being tested. What if only 90 percent are in favor? What if it’s 80 percent? At what ratio does the city draw the line for annexing an area?
While it may be frustrating to those who want to be included in the city, we urge Wasilla and Palmer to keep the 100 percent standard as the No. 1 goal. It may not be practical to think every annexation consideration will have 100 percent approval from landowners, but each of those landowners has the same rights as his/her neighbors and deserves individual consideration.
Comments
6 comment(s)wendy wrote on Nov 24, 2009 10:31 AM:
to Homesteader wrote on Nov 23, 2009 10:04 AM:
Just The Facts Please wrote on Nov 23, 2009 9:47 AM:
Homesteader wrote on Nov 22, 2009 10:32 PM:
When Palmer annexed the folks near (across the Glenn) the Palmer State Fairgrounds about seven years ago, there was not 100% annexation agreement. Some people fought hard to prevent it. Some who were for it, now regret it, because they did not get all those wonderful benefits promised them.
To those who support Wasilla's Annexation plan- be careful what you wish for! "
AKN wrote on Nov 22, 2009 4:07 PM:
Roger wrote on Nov 22, 2009 12:50 PM:
The state needs to pass laws to PROTECT us from local governments gone nuts. Let the people affected by it vote on this AND zoning the borough keeps shoving down our throats.
This is the kind of stuff that happens in communist countries. I never dreamed it could happen HERE!!!! "