Billings School District #2 submitted a petition to annex land that it owns, using the provisions of Section 7-2-4600, MCA. The subject property is  a portion of a certificate of survey tract totaling about 16.6 acres. The property is located south of Barrett Road just east of the intersection of Bench Boulevard and Barrett Road. The property is a portion of the new Medicine Crow Middle School property and is currently under development for athletic fields, parking and other facilities related to the new middle school operations. The owners are requesting annexation in order to continue development of the property in the City and ensure the entire new middle school site in within the City Limits. The property is currently zoned Residential-7000 and Billings School District #2 is in the process of requesting a zone change of the property to Public zoning to match the current zoning on the remaining middle school property to the west.

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 9, 2015 to consider annexing this property.