Michael Sartorie, for owners Richard and Mae Sartorie, submitted a petition to annex land the family owns using the provisions of Section 7-2-4600, MCA. The subject property is a 5.4 acre parcel described as Tract 2B-2 of Amended Tract 2B, Corrected Certificate of Survey 840, Second Amended. The property is located west of Hawthorne Lane and north of Kyhl Lane in the Billings Heights. 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 as part of the Sartorie Subdivision, 2nd Filing. The owner has submitted a preliminary subdivision plat application in the City for the residential subdivision. The annexation schedule is designed to ensure the preliminary plat application comes to the Council later in July 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 July 10, 2017 to consider annexing this property.