Janet Bergman submitted a petition to annex land she owns using the provisions of Section 7-2-4600, MCA. The subject property is a 17 acre parcel described as Tract 3 and a portion of Tract 4 and Tract 5 of Amendment of Tracts 1,2 and 3 of Certificate of Survey 1648. The property is located west of Shiloh Road, south of Central Avenue and north of Bell Avenue on the west side of Legends West Subdivision. The property is vacant and has been used for agricultural purposes. The owner is requesting annexation in order to develop the property in the City for residential purposes. The owner has submitted a Zone Change in the City to change the zoning from Agricultural Open Space to Residential-7000 zoning on the property. The annexation schedule is designed to ensure the zone  change application comes to the Council after the annexation has been acted upon.

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 November 28, 2016 to consider annexing this property.