A Measure Proposing Annexation of 20.08 Acres of Property

Question: Shall the property located west of 27th Avenue, South of Kuebler Boulevard, and east of Battlecreek Road SE be annexed?

Summary: Approval of this measure would annex approximately 20.08 acres of property located west of 27th Avenue, South of Kuebler Boulevard, and east of Battlecreek Road SE 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 20.08 acres to the City of Salem. The City Council found the proposed annexation to meet 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 proposed annexation area is located west of 27th Avenue SE and south of Kuebler Boulevard. The 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, would be RA (Residential Agriculture). RA zoning typically permits agricultural activities and single family residential land uses.

The annexation of 15.47 acres of territory was requested by petition of the property owners. The annexation also includes a 4.61 acre adjacent area, which would be surrounded by the city if the 15.47 acres were annexed. Salem ordinances require the inclusion of this adjacent area in the annexation.

The annexation would place the property within the City of Salem, subject to city tax rates. The property would be withdrawn from the Salem Suburban Rural Fire Protection District, and would thereafter receive fire and other services from the city.

Development of property is not required at the time of annexation. Development must conform to the zoning designation then in effect. Zoning may be changed from time to time following notice and public hearing as required by law.

The fiscal impact of this annexation on the city’s general fund depends upon the nature and appraised value of the eventual development. 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, and other indicators commonly found within the zone, and assuming existing levels of city services are maintained, an average RA zone development on this property could result in a $1841 annual benefit to the city’s general fund (year 2000 dollars). If the 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.

No arguments opposed to this measure were filed.

THE PROPOSAL

This is a request to annex two parcels of property totaling approximately 14 acres owned by me, Randy Barna and by Amber Chase. My family and I are the 3rd and 4th generation to live in this area. The second parcel is owned by Amber Chase who has lived on the site for more than 25 years. The City added an adjoining 6 acres including parts of two streets to the original proposal. The property to be annexed is bordered on 3 sides by existing city limits.

FAIRNESS ISSUE

The city built a waterline across the front of this property 25 years ago. When we purchased our parcel, we paid several thousand dollars toward the cost of this waterline; however we have never been able to obtain water from the line. The city requires the annexation of our property before we can receive water service from the water line for which we helped pay.

THE FUTURE

The I-5 Kuebler Interchange Study done for the master plan financed by the City has recommended this property be zoned Commercial. Amber and I support that recommendation. If this occurs, the estimated traffic fees required to be paid by the owner to the city for street improvements and safety would be $230,000. The estimated water, sewer, and building permits fees would be nearly $300,000. In addition the City of Salem Annexation Model projects about $35,000 annual net benefit from property taxes paid to the city’s general fund if this property is developed for commercial purposes.

This annexation has been reviewed by the Salem Planning Department, Police Department, Fire Department and the South Gateway Neighborhood Association. Commercial development has no impact on schools. No one has filed objections and it complies with every State and Local Land Use Law and Plan.

I urge you to vote YES on 24-71. If you have questions, call me at
503-581-0610

(This information provided by Randy Barna)

CityWatch, a local volunteer group which works for livability improvements and for good local government, recommends approval of this proposed 20-acre annexation, and subsequent rezoning to residential-agricultural, for the following reasons:

1. This site, consisting of open fields and three dwellings, is surrounded on three sides by already-annexed land to the north, west and south. Land across 27th Ave. to the east is vacant county land.

2. Property owners resident on the site have expressed a belief that service from their on-site wells has been adversely affected by adjacent development. Approval of this annexation will permit the property owners to obtain more reliable water service through connection to the city’s water system.

3.Planned interchange improvements along Kuebler Blvd. will allow increased traffic access to the site. It is probable that if the city does not approve development here by the time the road work is completed, the county will do so. That will mean development under county code requirements, which are less demanding than those of the city. If, later, the city annexes the property, city taxpayers will most likely have to pay the costs of upgrading the already-developed site to meet city codes.

4. Although the process for publishing complete taxpayer costs for any development are not yet in place, thus preventing us from knowing what the eventual costs to taxpayers might be, it was felt that existing conditions affecting this site do merit approval of this requested annexation. City staff estimates this annexation will produce a surplus of additional tax revenues over the cost of extending city services.

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.