Phillips 66 Company submitted a petition to annex land they own using the provisions of Section 7-2-4600, MCA. The subject property is Tract 11, Certificate of Survey 1406 Amended totaling about 3.5 acres. The property is located off of South 27th Street behind the main Billings Post Office at 841 South 26th Street. It is accessed by a private road off of 7th Avenue South.  The property has been vacant and the owners are requesting annexation in order to begin developing the property in the City for commercial offices and an industrial work yard for one of Phillips 66 Company's businesses in Billings. The property is currently zoned Controlled Industrial and would retain this zoning if annexed.

The property is located within the five-year annexation area of the City's Limits of Annexation Map and appears to meet some 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 takes action on the annexation petition.

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 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 February 22, 2016 to consider annexing this property.