Item B: River Road/Santa Clara Annexation Policy

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ATTACHMENT D City Manager’s Office City of Eugene 777 Pearl Street, Room 105 M Eugene, Oregon 97401-2793 EMORANDUM (541) 682-5010 (541) 682-5414 FAX www.eugene-or.gov Date: March 30, 2006 To: Mayor Piercy and City Council From: James R. Carlson, 682-5524 Assistant City Manager Subject:CITY COUNCIL ASSIGNMENT RESPONSE: STREET ANNEXATIONS Councilor Ortiz requested an explanation of why the City annexes streets, in response to public testimony by Rob Handy, chairperson of the River Road Community Organization, on March 13, 2006. The short answer is that cities are the logical providers of urban services and most urban services are provided on, under, or via the street right-of-way. It is important to recognize that the City’s practices related to street annexations apply citywide. There is increased impact and awareness in the River Road and Santa Clara areas because that is where the majority of annexations to Eugene occur, and where the fragmented city limits pattern increases the need for coherent services within the street rights-of-way. Street right-of way is essential to the delivery of urban services. Many urban services and facilities are provided within the street rights-of-way in addition to transportation services, such as water, wastewater collection, stormwater, cable and other communication networks, fire hydrants and street lights. Emergency service providers also operate within the rights-of-way, including police and fire and emergency medical service. Currently, all annexations of private property are initiated by the property owner, usually because of a desire to divide the property into multiple development sites, build or start a new use on the property, or request services that only the city can provide. The City reviews each annexation application and, based on the circumstances, recommends to either the applicant or the Boundary Commission whether the City is requesting the inclusion of segments of street. The Lane County Local Government Boundary Commission makes the final decision on all annexations. Regulatory Framework The basis of the City’s street annexation recommendations stem from fundamental principles and policies contained in the Eugene-Springfield Metro Plan: The Metro Plan is based on the premise that Eugene and Springfield, the two existing cities, are the logical providers of services accommodating urban levels of development within the UGB. [River Road and Santa Clara areas are located within the Eugene UGB.]