Palmer files with state to annex 920 acres

PALMER -- Last month the Palmer city council passed an annexation plan that has been in the works for years, but still has a long way to go. The proposed annexation covers about 920 acres consisting of around 200 properties in 13 separate areas.

Palmer's annexation petition is now being reviewed by staff at the state of Alaska Local Boundary Commission (LBC). The commission is an independent authority created by the Alaska constitution to define the boundaries of various local governments. LBC must conduct at least one hearing on the Palmer annexation, but the hearing won't be scheduled until LBC staff has completed their technical review.

About a dozen people have spoken to the city council and written letters opposing the annexation while the council and city manager Tom Healy were working on the details of the petition, but the LBC -- which will accept public comment up until June 28 -- hasn't received any correspondence objecting to the annexation, according to Dan Bockhorst of the LBC staff.

The plan will also need the approval of the Alaska Legislature if the LBC approves it. The LBC typically puts all local government annexation and incorporations in front of the legislature as a package, and the city has timed its petition so that it could clear the LBC process in time for the 2003 legislature.

Maps and a synopsis of the plan are available at Palmer City Hall. Questions or comments on the plan may also be directed to LBC staff at 550 West 7th Avenue, Suite 1770, Anchorage, AK 99501-3501 or by phone at (907) 269-4559. For comments to be considered during the LBC staff review they must be received no later than 5 p.m. June 28.