Annexation according to Escher …

Frontiersman editorial board

The Local Boundary Commission seems to be sending mixed messages to the City of Palmer. The LBC has, in the past, frowned upon the creation of enclaves within city limits as a result of piecemeal annexations. However, on Monday the LBC allowed a portion of Bailey Hill to escape annexation as part of the city's latest expansion.

While the Bailey Hill property owners count this as a victory against an intrusive city hall, others see it as a blow to the coherent growth of the city. Indeed, how can the city be expected to put together a long-range growth plan when its boundaries continue to look like a checker board designed by M.C. Escher? Either enclaves are a good idea, or they are not. When it comes to drawing boarders, you simply can't have it both ways.

Of course, property owners should have a say in these matters. There has been much talk about the democratic process, and the rights of individuals. Unfortunately, those two things sometimes collide. The thing about the democratic process is that everybody gets a say, but in the end, the decision is supposed to be the one that benefits the majority -- the community.

The LBC, charged with making a decision that considers both sides but kowtows to neither, took the easy way out instead. Their decision might look like a political compromise, but in reality it's a stalemate. The Bailey Hill question will be back.

The question here really is, what is at stake for everyone concerned? Those who wish to remain outside the city are worried that they will give up more than they will gain. They are concerned that the way they use their land could change as a result of zoning. What will be gained is city services -- such as water, a lower mill rate, and a coherent boundary system in Palmer. Nobody is in danger of losing their property. It's an annexation, not a condemnation. In an area that is growing by six percent annually, the population center borders are going to expand. We should decide now whether we're going to expand in a way that makes the most sense or in a way that makes the least waves.