CED Annexation Policy Plan 1992 - Laserfiche WebLink

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made up of the U.S. 31 commercial corridor and the developed residential areas for approximately one-half mile on either side. It also includes the residential areas on the north side of the Toll Road, such as Georgetown, Arlington, Castle Point Apartments, Carriage Hills, Swanson Highlands, Bowercrest and Toll View. Of the four smaller annexations, three are located in the south part of the City and one is located in the northwest. Of the three located in the south, the unsuccessful Gilmer Park annexation represented the most built-up area, consisting of approximately 890 acres (1.4 square miles). The other large annexation that was rescinded was a 532-acre (0.9 square mile) parcel roughly bounded by Hickory Road, Battles Street, Ironwood Drive and Jackson Road. The remaining southern parcel is still in court. It is a 246-acre area bounded by the City limits, Linden Road and the US 20/31 Bypass. The fourth annexation consisted of 950 acres bounded by Hickory Road (extended), the Toll Road, Ironwood Drive and Ivy Road, and the City limits. Commonly known as the Maple Lane area, it is bisected by S.R. 23, a major arterial connecting the central city with the northeast suburbs. The National Center for Senior Living is a prominent project currently being developed in this area. This annexation was also unsuccessful. The annexation attempts listed above represent approximately 21 square miles of land area that could have considerably added to the City's growth and ability to control development along its fringe areas. Much of the land area, especially represented by the Clay -German, Gilmer Park and Maple Lane annexation attempts, are highly urbanized fringe areas that are natural extensions of the City's street and development pattern. Successful annexation of these areas in earlier years would have positioned the City to better compete on the local level for the economic development opportunities that subsequently presented themselves, and to share in the rapid expansion of residential development in the suburban fringe areas. 3. General Issues Despite the loss in population experienced over the past 30 years, the City is still faced with providing and maintaining urban services at acceptable levels. Both inflationary and mandated services push municipal operating expenditures up while migration of the population, relocation of the commercial base and a smaller industrial base erodes the City's tax base. A smaller number of City residents, therefore, must bear the costs of maintaining an increasingly higher level of services, reflective of the quality of life standards that the community has set for itself. 3