Sanderson Stewart submitted a petition to annex land on behalf of owners Gary Oakland and Marvin Hessler using the provisions of Section 7-2-4600, MCA. The subject property is a 119 acre parcel described as a portion of Tract A, Certificate of Survey 1651; Tract 1, Certificate of Survey 1871; a portion of Tract 1, Certificate of Survey 2465; Tract 2A, Certificate of Survey 2465; and a portion of the north 30 feet of the NW1/4, NW1/4 of Section 36, T1N, R24E adjacent to Tract 1, Certificate of Survey 2465. The property is located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Rimrock Road and 70th Street West and borders the south side of the Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad corridor. The property is vacant and has been used for dry land agriculture operations. The owners are requesting annexation in order to develop the property in the City for residential purposes similar to the adjacent Copper Ridge Subdivision. The owner has submitted a zone change application which is going through the process and will be heard by the City Council at the same meeting when it considers this annexation request.

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 August 28, 2017 to consider annexing this property.