A Measure Proposing Annexation of 5.73 Acres of Property

Question: Shall the property located west of Doaks Ferry Road NW and east of Coho Avenue NW be annexed?

Summary: Approval of this measure would annex approximately 5.73 acres of property located west of Doaks Ferry Road NW and east of Coho Avenue NW to the City of Salem. The property is within the Urban Growth Boundary. Upon annexation, the property would be zoned City of Salem RA (Residential Agriculture).

Explanatory Statement:

If approved, this measure would result in annexation of 5.73 acres of property to the City of Salem. The City Council found the proposed annexation meets all applicable land use laws of the State of Oregon and the City of Salem. The City Charter requires submitting this annexation to the voters.

The property proposed for annexation is generally located west of Doaks Ferry Road NW and east of Coho Avenue NW. The entire property is located within the Urban Growth Boundary, and is designated in the Salem Area Comprehensive Plan as "Developing Residential." Zoning of the property if annexed into the city would be RA (Residential Agriculture). RA zoning would typically permit agricultural activities and single family residential land uses.

This annexation was requested by petition of the property owner(s). The annexation would place the property within the City of Salem, subject to city tax rates.

If annexed, the property would be withdrawn from the Salem Suburban Rural Fire Protection District, and would thereafter receive fire and other services from the City of Salem.

Development of property is not required at the time of annexation. When development occurs, it must conform to the zoning designation then in effect. The zoning of any property may be changed from time to time following notice and public hearing as required by law.

The financial impact of this annexation on the city’s general fund depends upon the nature and appraised value of the eventual development of the property. Since development is not known at the time of annexation, only average estimates of costs and revenues can be made. Assuming average land and improvement values, residential densities, persons per household, and other indicators commonly found within the zone, and assuming existing levels of city services are maintained, an average RA zone development on this acreage could result in a $552 annual benefit to the city’s general fund (in year 2000 dollars). If the city’s levels of service are enhanced in the future, this fiscal benefit could correspondingly decrease.

School funding for operations and maintenance is largely obtained through the state allocation of income tax. The state’s current allocation is $4926 per student. Currently, the Salem-Keizer School District estimates the annual cost per student to be $6500. The difference between the state allocation and anticipated costs is made up through unexpended prior year budget savings and interest earnings. The annexation area is located within the district, and the district is obligated to provide educational services whether or not the site is annexed to the city.

Additional information and findings regarding the proposed annexation are contained in the staff reports dated August 6, 2001, August 13, 2001 and August 20, 2001. Copies of the staff reports are available for public review on the city’s web site; at the Salem Public Library; and at the Salem City Hall, Department of Community Development, 555 Liberty Street SE, Salem, Oregon.

For Measure 24-70

MORE INFORMATION ON ANNEXATIONS

Oregon’s innovative planning system, developed from legislation signed by Governor Tom McCall a quarter of a century ago, is designed to provide for orderly development and prevention of sprawl.

Planned annexations of land around city limits within Urban Growth Boundaries are a key element of this planning system and have been since the Salem Area Comprehensive Plan was adopted 20 years ago.

Oregon’s widely praised planning system recognizes growth (a decision to live in the Salem area) does not depend on whether property is annexed or not annexed.

People’s decision to live in the Salem area will not depend on the result of this vote approving or disapproving the annexation of land to the city limits. This is NOT a vote on the desirability of growth.

If property suitable for development is annexed and available, people will live within the city limits and pay taxes to city government for fire and police protection, libraries and other services. If such property is not available, they will live outside the city limits and use many city services without helping to pay for them.

One of the strongest points of Oregon’s planning system is that it encourages cities to plan their growth patterns and then, with annexation, encourage people to live where city plans provide services for them.

The six annexations in this election, which include a mix of home sites, industrial land and park land, all meet every provision of Salem’s state approved land use plan.

The Salem City Council found all six annexations comply with Salem’s comprehensive plan and applicable criteria for annexation and forwarded them for your vote. Annexation makes sense and is the most economical way to provide additional revenue for the city general fund and for Salem’s future.

VOTE YES on 24-70, 24-71, 24-72, 24-73, 24-74, 24-75. These measures are the result of good long range planning.

(This information provided by Brenda Kidder,
Citizens for Responsible Planning)

This proposed annexation is completely surrounded by property that is inside the city limits. It is fully served with water, storm drainage and sanitary sewer. The new subdivisions infrastructure and streets will be paid for entirely by the developer with no city funds involved. When completed it will have provided the City of Salem with $106,400 in permit fees, $270,000.00 in systems development charges to help maintain existing city of Salem utilities, and an approximate $95,054.00 per year in property taxes to support the police and fire departments, Salem Keizer School District and city street repair. The property is part of the 25 year comprehensive growth plan. It would be a benefit to the City of Salem to have this property on the property tax rolls.

(This information provided by Robert K. Cole,
Willamette Development Co.)

I am one of those citizens that supports sensible growth and development for the City of Salem. Positive or negative impacts to a community for accepting an annexation of land can be determined by using common sense applications. An undeveloped parcel of land cannot contribute its share of municipal costs, taxes and educational cost until that land is developed.

Throughout Oregon, there are vibrant, healthy cities and communities and those communities that have had job losses and financial hardship. Look around and you will see that: Healthy cities have sensible growth and development, Declining cites shrink in population. Healthy cities have new businesses and jobs. Declining cities have vacant buildings. Healthy cities are pro-education and schools. Declining cities have empty school buildings.

This parcel of land to be annexed is currently surrounded by homes. The City of Salem indicated that all of the services are available and that the Developer will pay for all additional improvements. It seems that the City of Salem Planning has insured that all of the financial risks will be the Developers’ while the financial rewards will be enjoyed by the citizens of Salem. This annexation will be a positive development for this community.

(This information provided by Gordon King)

This 5.73-acre proposal lies along Doaks Ferry Road, a limited-access highway in West Salem. To the north are the new high school and park, which will further congest the traffic along that road.

CityWatch opposes this proposed annexation for the following reasons:

1. Little or no thought has been given to road access to this proposed residential development. City staff advises that no planning for access will be started until development plans are received. As of now, it appears that the only possible access will be through existing neighborhoods to the west. Pushing that neighborhood’s streets through and making high-volume thoroughfares out of them would significantly change the livability and property values in the existing development.

2. The only stated reason for this annexation proposal is to increase the value of the property.

3. No plan for development has been proposed, and there is no way to know for sure what the nature of eventual development will be, or what the cost to the taxpayers will be, though it is sure to be a net loss to the general fund..

4. Traffic along narrow roads like Ptarmigan Street will increase to dangerous levels.

5. There is already a surplus of homes on the market in West Salem. Added development might serve only to depress existing property values.

CityWatch members believe it will be better to withhold approval at this time, and wait until the forthcoming city ordinance is in place, which will require full disclosure of development plans, and of costs to the taxpayers, to be put before the voters at the time annexation approval is sought.

More information may be obtained from CityWatch. Call 503-362-0619, or write P. O. Box 142, Salem, 97308. Or visit www.salemcitywatch.com between October 24 and November 6.