Public hearing and discussion only regarding Annexation No. 2024-01, a proposed annexation of territory located north of Cesar Chavez Boulevard between the alignment of Avenue G and Avenue E. (Jose A. Guzman, Director of Development Services)

1. Staff Presentation
2. Open Public Hearing
3. Call to the Public
4. Close Public Hearing

The City of San Luis General Plan 2040 covers a larger area of influence beyond the incorporated jurisdictional boundary of the City, called the Municipal Planning Area (MPA). The San Luis MPA contains a total of 92 square miles, which includes the incorporated city limits as well as land in unincorporated areas of Yuma County that has the potential to be annexed in the future.

The annexation is a crucial strategy for the City of San Luis to ensure sustainable and orderly growth. The city has initiated steps to annex various county islands currently within the city limits to promote organized development. Many of these islands are owned by state and federal governments.

The annexation of state-owned land requires approval from the state land commissioner and the state land selection board, making this process longer than federal land annexation. City staff have begun discussions with state officials to advance the annexation of state-owned county islands.

Federal land annexation, involving lands managed by agencies like the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM), does not require agency approval. The city has informed the local BLM office about its annexation intentions.

ANNEXATION CASE NO. 2024-01
This case pertains to the annexation of federal land owned by the Department of the Interior and managed by the BLM. The total acreage of the proposed annexation is approximately 1,285 acres. While agency approval is not required, the city has notified the local BLM office of its petition.

To start the annexation process, the City of San Luis recorded a blank petition for annexation of territory on July 25, 2024.  A copy of a blank petition, together with the legal description and a map, is attached to this item and can be found on the records of the Yuma County Recorders Office under Fee Number 2024-17750.  

The city notified the public about this hearing by advertising in the Yuma Sun, mailing to all taxpayers of property taxes within the proposed annexation territory, and posting at three (3) places within the proposed territory. 
 
By law, the city must hold a public hearing within thirty (30) days of the recording of the blank petition; this is that hearing.  No action needs to be taken after the hearing, and therefore none is proposed.

If the Council desires to take some action, the Mayor and Council can direct staff to place it for consideration on a future agenda.  If the city were to withdraw the proposed annexation, A.R.S. 9-471(A) requires a forty-five (45) day waiting period before the city can file another proposed annexation for the same territory. 

Signatures for the annexation petition can be collected starting August 25, 2024. The city has until August 24, 2025, to gather sufficient signatures, representing over half the number of property taxpayers and more than half of the assessed property value in the proposed area. Upon achieving this, an annexation ordinance can be adopted.

This annexation will facilitate long-term planning to accommodate growth, enhance infrastructure planning and budgeting, and streamline future service provision. By incorporating this land within city limits, San Luis aims to simplify boundaries, improve development planning, and boost the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of municipal services such as roads and parks.