QUESTION: Shall 7.03 acres near Santiam/Jefferson Streets be annexed, zoned and subdivided to provide 23 lots for single family dwellings?
 

SUMMARY: By Ordinance 883, the Stayton City Council approved a request by the Piculell Group to annex 7.03 acres located adjacent to East Santiam and East Jefferson Streets. The 7.03 acres will be rezoned for single family dwellings and subdivided into 23 lots to be known as Jefferson Estates. A citizen opposed Ordinance 883 and filed a referendum to place the question on the ballot whether to annex, rezone and subdivide the 7.03 acres.

A yes vote means the annexation, rezone and subdivision is approved. A no vote means the annexation, rezone and subdivision will not be approved.

The 7.03 acres is located inside the Stayton Urban Growth Boundary, and is designated Low Density Residential in the Stayton Comprehensive Plan. The annexation would convert 7.03 acres zoned as Marion County Urban Transition Farm to 23 single family dwelling sites and extend city services (sewer, water and streets) to the annexed area.

EXPLANATORY STATEMENT

The Stayton Municipal Code (SMC) and state law require that if certain criteria are met the City of Stayton may approve an annexation request. The Stayton Planning Commission, on July 25, 2005, and subsequently the Stayton City Council, on September 6, 2005, after public hearings, determined that the applicable criteria for the "Jefferson Estates" annexation had been met, and the Stayton City Council approved the annexation.

Approval criteria for a City annexation include: a) whether a need exists for the annexation; b) whether the site can be adequately served by city services; c) whether the proposed annexation is contiguous to existing city limits; d) whether the proposed annexation is compatible with the surrounding area; and e) whether the annexation complies with applicable state laws. The Stayton Planning Commission, and subsequently the Stayton City Council, determined these criteria were met and approved the annexation subject to certain conditions.

The Stayton City Council determined the first criterion was met for this annexation. The City interprets the concept of need as not only for more housing, but also to correct or supplement infrastructure issues that may only be addressed by including the site into the city limits. In this case, annexation would include infrastructure enhancements and new street connections.

This annexation requires the Piculell Group to construct the extension of E. Jefferson St. for the entire length of the annexed territory with half street improvements (curb and sidewalk on north side) per SMC 12.04.080(2); half street improvements along the south side of E. Santiam St.; full width improved extension of Highland Drive to the new portion of E. Jefferson St.; and replacement of 780 feet of undersized 6" water main along E. Santiam St. with a new 12" line to increase water volume and pressure in the area.

City services were found by the Stayton City Council to be adequate to serve the subject property. The site is contiguous to the existing city limits of the City of Stayton. The proposed annexation was determined by the Stayton City Council to be compatible with the surrounding area on the basis that the residential nature and density of the annexation proposal is consistent with nearby properties and in keeping with the City’s comprehensive land use plan map. Finally, the annexation was determined by the Stayton City Council to be in compliance with applicable state laws and, accordingly, the annexation was then approved with conditions.

Estimate of Financial Effect: The City would be responsible for the cost of perpetual maintenance of the infrastructure improvements once constructed. When fully developed as proposed, a 23-lot subdivision, the City may receive some $202,000 or more in one-time System Development Charges (SDCs) and some $11,500 or more in annual property taxes.

A yes vote means the annexation, rezone and subdivision will be approved. A no vote means the annexation, rezone and subdivision will not be approved.

Submitted by Chris Childs, City Administrator