DEPARTMENT: Planning and Community Development
DEPARTMENT HEAD: John Dugan
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: City-wide
SUBJECT:
Initiate Limited Purpose Annexation for Five Priority Areas
SUMMARY:
An Ordinance initiating limited purpose annexation and the preparation of a regulatory plan for three annexation priority areas in FY 2015 and for two priority areas in FY 2016 that are contiguous to the city limits and within the San Antonio Extraterritorial Jurisdiction and Bexar County.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
On February 14, 2013, City Council adopted the City of San Antonio Annexation Policy that provides guidance and rationale for the consideration of areas within the City of San Antonio's extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) for annexation. The policy recommends the development of an Annexation Program to be proactive in analyzing and identifying areas for potential annexation for a period of ten years.
On January 9, 2014, City Council approved a Limited Purpose annexation of a 19 square-mile area south of San Antonio in conjunction with the dissolution of City South Management Authority. This was the first annexation action since the adoption of the 2013 Annexation Policy.
On April 16, 2014, staff briefed City Council on 30 areas in the Extraterritorial Jurisdiction proposed for study for inclusion in an annexation program. Staff outlined the policy statements used for the evaluation of the areas and the study process. Council requested that the areas be analyzed based on the evaluation criteria, and that priority areas be identified.
Areas were reviewed and ranked on the following criteria:
1) Existing or planned level of development
2) Fiscal considerations
3) Service needs delivery
4) Public health, safety and welfare
5) Intergovernmental relations/jurisdictional boundaries
6) Non-annexation agreements
7) Municipal services to be provided
8) Fiscal impact analysis
Based on this analysis, at the November 12, 2014 City Council "B" Session, city staff briefed Council on its recommendation for annexation priority areas and reduced them from 30 to five areas.
ISSUE:
Staff seeks authorization to initiate limited purpose annexation. This request for annexation is consistent the City of San Antonio Annexation Policy, adopted February 14, 2013, in which San Antonio recommends annexation of areas to promote economic growth, facility long-range planning, protect future development, and foster intergovernmental relations. Five priority areas were identified based on the evaluation criteria, the boundaries further refined, and presented to City Council on November 12, 2014. The priority areas and recommended years for limited purpose annexation are over a two fiscal-year period:
FY 2015
IH 10 W - This 14.2 square mile area of planned and developed neighborhoods is located on the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone and adjacent to Camp Bullis along Interstate 10 W extending from the city limits to Boerne's ETJ. Annexation would preserve military missions, preserve land from competing jurisdictions, protect through the extension of zoning the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone, and incorporate higher value residential developments and emerging commercial centers.
US 281 North - This 12.01 square mile area of planned and developed neighborhoods is located on the Edwards Aquifer Recharge Zone centered on US 281 North. Annexation would incorporate existing and future commercial activity related to the expansion of US 281 and planned and developed neighborhoods adjacent to current city limits.
IH 10 E/1604 - This 12.72 square mile area of planned and developed neighborhoods is located north of IH 10 East inside East Loop 1604 abutting the municipal boundaries of several cities. Annexation would incorporate emerging commercial and industrial activity and preserve land from competing municipal jurisdictions.
FY 2016
Hwy 151 - This 14.64 square mile area of rapid developing neighborhoods and planned developments is located along Hwy 151 and Culebra Road. Annexation would incorporate a high growth area adjacent to emerging employment and commercial centers.
US 90/1604 - This 12.9 square mile urbanized area is centered at the intersection of Hwy 90 and Loop 1604, adjacent to the Lackland Annex. Annexation would preserve military missions and incorporate planned and developed neighborhoods north of US 90.
ALTERNATIVES:
The City Council may elect to initiate annexation of one or more annexation priority areas or defer a decision on annexation to a future date.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact at this time. Funds have been budgeted in the recently adopted 2015 General Fund Budget to support an annexation program in the 2015 Fiscal Year. A financial impact analysis and capital improvement plan would be prepared for each area selected for limited purpose annexation, prior to full purpose annexation.
RECOMMENDATION:
Approve an Ordinance initiating limited purpose annexation and the preparation of a regulatory plan for three annexation priority areas in FY 2015 and for two priority areas in FY 2016 that are contiguous to the city limits and within the San Antonio Extraterritorial Jurisdiction and Bexar County.