Residents don’t want annexation

By Lisa Hobbs

It is a ‘no’ for annexation, at least as far as Bridge Builders Road residents in Newtown are concerned. A petition stating their wish to not become city residents has been presented to McMinnville’s Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

The petition, consisting of around 50 signatures, was presented to the board by Vice Mayor Donald Hillis. The petition says:

‘The landowners of the Newtown community/ Bridge Builders Road wish to inform the Board of Mayor and Aldermen of the city of McMinnville and the city planning committee that we as property owners do not wish to be incorporated into the city limits of McMinnville. Most of us have lived and owned our places for a number of years and like things the way they are.’

On Jan. 7, McMinnville Planning and Zoning city planner David Baird recommended areas for annexation to the McMinnville Regional Planning Commission. The areas included:

‘ South side of Highway 70S from H.T. Pelham Memorial Parkway to behind South Circle.

‘ North side of Highway 70S, tracts currently adjacent to the left and right side of Bridge Builders Road.

‘ Two small parcels, 5 acres, in the area along Smithville Highway. One parcel is almost completely surrounded by city limits and the other has three sides connected to the city. Both are in the Northwood Lane area.

‘ Along Red Road there are 58 acres in the area of Hoover Drive and Garth Circle. The parcels in between the two and land adjacent to both.

One of the duties of Planning and Zoning Department is to examine areas adjacent to the city limits and pinpoint those that might be suitable for annexation. These areas are based on location only and property owners are not notified at this stage of the process, Baird said.

The department’s findings are taken before the McMinnville Regional Planning Commission. Commission members can recommend or not recommend annexation to the Board of Mayor and Aldermen.

At this stage, the wishes of individual property owners are considered. Before the board can vote on any recommended annexation, property owners must be notified and a public meeting scheduled. The ordinance must pass before the board twice.

A specific date for the board to discuss the annexation of these areas and hold a public meeting has not been scheduled.