Staff recommends the City Council hold a public hearing and approve this ordinance on first reading, adding recently annexed property to Ward I.

David and Ali Mitchell submitted a petition to annex land using the provisions of Section 7-2-4600, MCA. The property is located west of Alkali Creek Road. The property is described by a metes and bounds description which is included in the ordinance attached to this report. Only Phase 1 is being included in Ward I at this time. Additional ordinance amendments will be required at the time future phases are annexed. The property is zoned Agricultural Open Space, a county zone that is not recognized by the City of Billings. There is an accompanying zone change application to change the property to Neighborhood PND. 

Upon Council approval, this annexation requires a change in the boundaries of Ward I. Two readings are required for this action. The first reading and public hearing is scheduled for January 10. Upon approval the second reading will occur on January 24, 2022.

City Council may:

• Approve adding the subject property to Ward I, or;
• Disapprove adding the subject property to Ward I. Disapproval will not modify the boundary of Ward II and will create a problem where property inside the City Limits is not within a City Ward.

This application has no impact on the Planning Division Budget.