Regal Land Development (Dan Wells, President) has submitted a petition to annex land to the City of Billings under Section 7-2-4600, MCA. The subject property is a parcel totaling about 19.5 acres. The property is addressed as 5500 Grand Avenue. It is located on the south side of Grand Avenue just east of the Hope Church located at the intersection of Grand Avenue and 56th Street West. The property has one residence on it and is used for agricultural production. The property owner is requesting annexation in order to obtain City services for development of the property. An application for a zone change from Agricultural Open Space. to Residential 6,000 zoning will be considered after the annexation is considered by the City Council on May 27. A subdivision application is also under review and will come before the Council in June.

The property is located within the five-year annexation area of the City's Limits of Annexation Map and appears to meet many of the City's criteria in its Annexation Policy. A detailed review and analysis of the Annexation Policy criteria will be provided in the Council's public hearing memo. The City Council’s policy is to consider annexations at two separate Council meetings. At the first meeting, the Council acknowledges receipt of a petition and sets a public hearing date. At the second meeting, the Council conducts the hearing and decides if it will annex the property. The zoning and annexation hearings will occur at the same City Council meeting on May 27.

Section 7-2-4600, MCA, allows owners of more than 50% of the property to petition the City for annexation. The only alternative that is consistent with City Council policy is to acknowledge receipt of the petition and set a public hearing date.

Analysis by City staff of how City services may be provided to this property, the potential financial implications of developing the property, and a recommendation on the annexation will be prepared and presented at the public hearing.

Staff recommends that the City Council acknowledge receipt of the annexation petition and schedule a public hearing for May 27, 2014 to consider annexing this property.