Item B: River Road/Santa Clara Annexation Policy

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To date, we are unaware of a city policy that requires only city streets provide access and utilities to properties within the city limits. Indeed, current infill development in our area uses private roads to access new subdivisions. In light of this, the answer to the FAQ below seems inconsistent with current city practices. In addition, the statement below regarding city streets providing access to properties within the city limits addresses only part of the issue. These same streets provide access and utilities for county residents. City limits are the property line of each annexed parcel, not the entire neighborhood into which a property gets annexed. 6. Why does the City look for logical and appropriate street segments to annex? Since the Metro Plan says that all lands inside the Eugene Urban Growth Boundary will probably some day be part of the city, it makes sense to have city streets provide access and utilities to properties within the city limits. Having streets within the city limits allows the city greater control over water and sewer line extension and repair, addition of bicycle lane and sidewalks, traffic speed control, and traffic enforcement. The current practice of superfluous street annexation (the annexation of streets not directly adjacent to the property being annexed) seems to be a clear case of the cart before the horse. The city of Eugene is not provid>ing services to the majority of residents out here, yet seems .to be attempting to control service provision and possibly future governance through street annexatio<n. Although the city residents in Santa Clara do deserve city services, it is not at all clear that the street annexation policies improve the services they receive. The advantages to the city residents in Santa Clara presently do not outweigh the potential disadvantages to the non-city residents. We need to consider all of the residents of our community as we plan for the future. We hope the city of Eugene will work with us in a positive and collaborative way on community visioning and planning. When the city of Eugene and the residents of this area reach an a.greement about the why, how and/or when of annexation, that would be the time to consider wholesale street annexation. Until such time, we req.uest that the current practice of superfluous street annexation cease. Respectfully submitted, The board of the SCCO