Proposed annexation along bypass tabled for now

When the proposed Highway 55 annexation was brought to the table, that’s where it stayed. The discussion won’t happen at this time ‘ at least as far as McMinnville Regional Planning Commission members are concerned.
Ironically, the proposed annexation was sent to the commission for its consideration after Building and Grounds Committee members could not reach a decision regarding how much land along the bypass should be annexed.
Over the past several months, the committee has held meetings regarding the annexation of the right-of-way land, as well as land 100 feet, 200 feet, 300 feet and one lot deep. When the last discussion, held in early May, failed to produce a final decision, the largest recommendation of one lot deep was sent to the Planning Commission.
The largest area was sent because of procedure. When commission members consider annexation, they can choose to recommend any, all, or a larger area. However, when the recommendation is sent to the board, it can choose to annex a smaller area than recommended, but not a larger one.
Several property owners attended the commission meeting held Monday to voice their disapproval. One of those was Larry Elliot, who owns annexed property and proposed property for annexation.
‘You already got part of me and I really don’t need any more city,’ Elliot said. ‘I haven’t gotten all the services for the area you have annexed. I’ve asked for them, and I’ve asked for them.’
Given that he hasn’t received the services he was told he would receive, he added, ‘I’m disappointed with the actions of the city not being able to give me everything on land already in the city and then trying to take another piece of my property.’
Resident Ellen Cogley dispelled the city’s belief that development is pending in the area. Her property, the property of her two brothers, the property owned by Dewey Smith, and that of Jana Wilson will remain an ‘open green space,’ she says.
‘We want to keep it that way,’ she said. ‘We aren’t anxious. We don’t want to develop it. We have no plans to develop it. We have no plans to sell it. Therefor, with open green space, we don’t need services from the city.’
Among the property owners was one the city tried to annex five years ago. After a legal battle with area property owners, the land was left in the county. Marlin Tubb told the commission that he has been without city services for 38 years and doesn’t want them now.
Residents got some of what they wanted, but not all of it. When it came time for commission members to begin discussion, Vice Mayor Donald Hillis, who currently serves on the commission, moved to table the item. The move was quickly seconded and passed by a unanimous vote.
Because the measure has been tabled, Highway 55 annexation will need a two-thirds vote among the members before it can be discussed again. With four of the six commission members voting to table ‘ David Marttala, Rickie Northcutt, Hillis and Mayor Royce Davenport ‘ it is unlikely to resurface soon.
Despite the commission’s decision, city officials can choose to send a different recommendation ‘ right of way, 100 feet, 200 feet, or 300 feet ‘ for consideration.