De-annexation hearings go smoothly
In contrast to original annexation proceedings four years ago that featured fierce protests, the city’s de-annexation proceedings were met with little resistance during public hearings Tuesday.
The hearings were required as a formality, as they were in 2001, when city officials began pursuing almost 2,000 acres of land located southwest of McMinnville. Unlike the annexation attempts of 2001, however, no one showed up to protest de-annexation.
The city’s pursuit of that land appears to be over for now, as members of the Board of Mayor and Aldermen not only held the required public hearings, but approved four ordinances to approve de-annexation on second reading.
The four affected areas include almost 1,000 acres of land located between current city limits between Karate Lane and Todd Lane, and more than 900 acres in the Highway 55 area. The land has been the subject of numerous disputes since McMinnville officials began annexing the first areas and citizens sued the city.
Citizens were seeking their day in court and after losing that option at the local level, they won a state appeals court decision in January.
At Tuesday’s meeting, city officials voted unanimously to overturn previous actions, but said little. However, Mayor Royce Davenport and Vice Mayor Patti Nunley have suggested that the lawsuits were being debated using old laws that have since been outdated by public growth laws.
In short, they seemed to indicate the city’s fight was getting cumbersome, given the old laws, the amount of time that has passed, and the fact the city has a different growth planner on board.
Although the ordinances are to officially take effect in 90 days, it is possible the city could annex smaller areas of land that are included in its urban growth boundary at some point in the future. City officials have not given any specific mention of annexing particular areas.