CED Annexation Policy Plan 1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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2. Historical Annexation Trends South Bend has a long history of annexation. The trend in annexation over the past 30 years, however, has changed resulting in more non-residential annexations and an overall slight decline in the number of annexations. The 1960s saw continued expansion of the City limits, with the most number of annexations of any decade to date. These annexations primarily accommodated the new residential subdivisions that were being developed on the southern fringe of the City. One prominent expansion was the annexation of land on the northwest side, ultimately zoned industrial and representing Phases 3 and 4 of the Airport Industrial Park. Additionally, 744 acres of zoned residential land, surrounding what is now the St. Mary of the Assumption School on Locust Road in the southwest part of the City, was annexed. Successful annexation of fringe areas continued through the 1970s and 1980s, but on a noticeably more modest scale. The majority of the land annexed during these years was zoned for industrial uses and included Michiana Regional Airport and the area encompassing the Airport 2010 project. These areas northwest of the City had long been targeted by the City for industrial expansion through the City's aggressive economic development programs. Six annexations are of major importance in the discussion of the City's annexation history. These include four unsuccessful annexations and two annexations still in court. Their importance lies in the City's recognition and attempt, in the late 1960s to early 1970s, to catch up with the area's shifting demographics and remain as the region's primary growth center. Two of these annexations represent the largest annexations ever attempted since a 1911 ordinance redefined the City's boundaries to incorporate what was then called the Town of River Park. The largest of these six attempted annexations was initiated in 1974 and had a land area of 7,289 acres (11.4 square miles) in German and Portage Townships, stretching from Auten and Brick Roads on the north, the Bypass on the west, and Grant Road on the south. This area encompassed the Michiana Regional Airport, most of the area currently being developed under the Airport 2010 project, the developing industrial subdivisions on the north side of New Cleveland Road, and the residential areas between the current City limits and the Bypass. This annexation was unsuccessful. The second largest attempted annexation, and one that is still in court, is typically known as the Clay -German annexation, and extends in a rough "U shape from the Michigan State Line to Hickory Road. This annexation consists of 3,452 acres (5.4 square miles) and was initiated in 1973. This area is 2