Report Prepared by: Kim Espinosa, Planning Manager, Development Services Department
Title
SUBJECT: Report to Consider Final Pre-Application Process for Annexations Involving Early Consultation with the City Council
REPORT IN BRIEF
Considers approving a new Pre-Application Process for Annexations, which will involve early consultation with the City Council.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion approving the new Pre-Application process for Annexations as outlined in the report.
Body
ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve the process as recommended by staff; or,
2. Direct staff to make changes to the process prior to implementation; or,
3. Request further information before giving final Council approval.
AUTHORITY
The Cortese-Knox-Hertzberg Local Reorganization Act of 2000 establishes procedures for city annexations and other local government changes in organization.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
In the FY 20-21 City Council Goals and Priorities, "Future Annexations/Growth of City/Sewer Master Plan" is listed under Goal Area 5, Future Planning.
DISCUSSION
Previous City Council Direction
On August 17, 2020, and October 19, 2020, EMC Planning Group and City staff presented updates to the City Council on the North Merced Annexation Feasibility Study, Annexation Applications and Procedures, and the Interim Wastewater Capacity. The City Council expressed support for an Annexation Pre-application Process with the following provisions:
* Participation is voluntary
* Pre-applications would be reviewed on a continuous basis as they were submitted (no set time frame for submittal or review of all pre-applications at once)
* No public hearings or notification of surrounding property owners would be required
* No Planning Commission involvement
* Use of the existing General Plan policy regarding annexations as the "merit criteria"
On February 16, 2021, the City Council discussed the possible annexation of the UC Merced campus and directed staff to proceed with preparing...
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