Owners Leland and Lorraine Wells 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 1.6 acres. The property is located at 16 Shiloh Road at the northwest corner of the intersection of Shiloh Road and Central Avenue. A Cenex Zip Trip fuel and convenience store is currently located on the property. The property owner is requesting annexation in order to obtain City services for the existing development on the property. The property is currently zoned Neighborhood Commercial and would come into the City with the same zoning.

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.

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 December 15, 2014 to consider annexing this property.