Discussion and possible action on any and all matters regarding Annexation Case No. 2024-01 and Ordinance No. 470. An Ordinance of the Mayor and City Council of the City of San Luis, Arizona, extending and increasing the corporate limits of the City of San Luis of Yuma County, State of Arizona, pursuant to the provisions of Title 9, Chapter 4, Article 7, Arizona Revised Statutes and amendments thereto, by annexing thereto certain territory contiguous to the existing city limits of the City of San Luis; approving infrastructure and service plan; and adopting zoning classifications for said territory; and providing for severability.  (Jose A. Guzman, Director of Development Services)

A. Action on Reading of Ordinance No. 470 by title only
B. Action on Ordinance No. 470

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 the state and federal governments.

The annexation of state-owned land requires approval from the State Land Commissioner and the State 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. 

ANNEXATION CASE NO. 2024-01 / ORDINANCE NO. 470
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 Recorder’s Office under Fee Number 2024-17750.  

By law, the City was required to hold a public hearing within thirty (30) days of recording the blank petition. The City Council held a public hearing on August 21, 2024. The City provided notice of this hearing by publishing in the Yuma Sun, mailing notices to all property taxpayers within the proposed annexation territory, and posting notices at three locations within the area.

Petition signatures could be collected beginning August 25, 2024 (after the 30-day waiting period), with a deadline of August 24, 2025, to gather sufficient signatures representing more than half of the property taxpayers and more than half of the assessed property value in the proposed area. The City collected the necessary signatures on July 16, 2025.

The City of San Luis recorded a signed petition for annexation of territory on August 13, 2025.  A copy of a signed petition, including the legal description and map, is attached to this item and  is on file with the Yuma County Recorder’s Office under Fee Number 2025-19945.

ZONING:
In accordance with Arizona Revised Statutes § 9-471(M):

“A city or town annexing an area shall adopt zoning classifications that permit densities and uses not greater than those permitted by the county immediately before annexation. Subsequent changes in zoning of the annexed territory shall be made according to existing procedures established by the city or town for the rezoning of land.” 

The parcel is zoned Rural Area-10 Acres Minimum (RA-10) in Yuma County.   If the property is annexed into the City, the equivalent zoning is Rural Area Residential (RA-10). With the adoption of Ordinance No. 470, the annexed property will be zoned to RA-10. 

POLICY FOR DEVELOPMENT OF INFRASTRUCTURE AND SERVICES:
In accordance with Arizona Revised Statutes § 9-471(P), on or before the date the governing body adopts the ordinance annexing territory, the governing body shall have approved a plan, policy or procedure to provide the annexed territory with appropriate levels of infrastructure and services to serve anticipated new development within ten years after the date when the annexation becomes final. 

As part of Ordinance No. 470, the required policy will be approved and adopted in compliance with state law. 

STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval and adoption of Ordinance No. 470. 

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.

A. I MOVE TO APPROVE READING OF ORDINANCE NO. 470 BY TITLE ONLY.
    (CITY CLERK TO READ ORDINANCE NO. 470 BY TITLE ONLY)
B. I MOVE TO APPROVE AND ADOPT ORDINANCE NO. 470, AS PRESENTED.