Item B: River Road/Santa Clara Annexation Policy

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use of this provision takes away their “right to vote” on whether their properties should be annexed. The City has not used this provision for approximately 15 years. The last use of this provision was along th West 11 Avenue in 1988. In the late 1970s, the City used this provision to initiate the annexation of several islands in the Willakenzie area. Reviews of annexations in the past two years indicate that Eugene staff has requested the addition of right-of-way for about 50% of the annexations. The Boundary Commission has been somewhat inconsistent with how it has dealt with these requests, approving some, denying some and modifying others. Staff continues to request the inclusion of right-of-way where it appears to be logical and to improve the efficiency of service delivery and reduce the fragmented approach to the provision of public services. It should be noted that if the Boundary Commission is dissolved and the City wants to continue to allow voluntary annexations in the River Road and Santa Clara areas, the annexation of additional road rights- of-way will be necessary to connect these properties to the main body of the City. RELATED CITY POLICIES Most of the related City policies are contained in Chapter II of the Metro Plan, as previously discussed. The 2007 Legislative Policies document contains a section on annexation and makes two recommendations: Oppose legislation that eliminates or weakens existing methods of annexation. Support legislation to allow withdrawal of territory from special service districts. COUNCIL OPTIONS (these options are not exclusive of one another) 1.The City Council could choose to continue using the existing policies and practices allowing voluntary annexations in the River Road /Santa Clara areas. 2.The City Council, in cooperation with Lane County and Springfield, could initiate a review of the Fundamental Principles of the Metro Plan. This option would require the addition of a high priority work task in the FY08 Planning Division Work Plan and significant staff resources. 3.The City Council could initiate a review of the policies in the Plan Principles section of the Metro Plan related to River Road/Santa Clara. This option would require the addition of a high priority work task in the FY08 Planning Division Work Plan and significant staff resources to coordinate with Lane County at a minimum. Any changes to this section would also require the concurrence of the City of Springfield. 4.The City Council could review its historical support for the Lane County Local Government Boundary Commission and take a legislative position in support of or opposition to the continuation of the commission. If the Boundary Commission were dissolved, it would be necessary to increase or redirect staff resources in the Planning Division to process annexations for the remainder of FY07, and would require the addition of a high priority work task in the FY08 and subsequent annual work plans, and significant staff resources. L:\CMO\2007 Council Agendas\M070124\S070124B.doc