Knife River Inc. has submitted a petition to annex land to the City of Billings under 7-2-4600 MCA. The subject property is 16.94 acres in size and is located on the South Frontage Road, west of the intersection of Sugar Avenue and South Frontage Road. The property is addressed as 3128 South Frontage Road. The parcel is currently undeveloped and has been used as a pig farm and gravel pit in the past. The property owner is requesting annexation in order to obtain City services for future development of the property. There are no plans to develop the property at this time, according to the owner's agent, Land Use Consulting. 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.

MCA, Section 7-2-4600 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 development of 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 September 12, 2011 to consider annexing this property.