HomeMy WebLinkAbout2007-11-27 - AGENDA REPORTS - ANNEX INITIATION POLICY (2)Agenda Item: ' /9-6
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
UNFINISHED BUSINESS City Manager Approval:
�4A
Item to be presented by: Mayor McLean
DATE: November 27, 2007
SUBJECT: ANNEXATION INITIATION POLICY
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council provide direction on the Annexation Initiation Policy.
BACKGROUND
At the City Council meeting on January 23, 2007 Council directed staff to begin development of
a new policy regarding the initiation of annexations that would lower the 60% resident support
threshold. On February 27th, public testimony was heard by the Council on a proposed revised
Annexation Initiation Policy. Further discussion of this issue was postponed for four months at
the request of the Castaic Area and West Ranch Town Councils to allow time for the Town
Councils' consultants to prepare fiscal studies on incorporation and annexation of the west side
communities. In June, this issue was once again continued by the City Council for three months
to allow additional time for the Town Councils' consultants to complete these studies. Although
the consultants have been under contract since July, at this time it is unknown as to when the
studies may be completed. Financial information requested through the County's Chief
Executive Officer has not been forthcoming and to date no timeline can be ascertained as to
when the information may be provided before the consultants can prepare their studies.
Currently, the City has a policy that requires communities that wish to annex to collect signatures
in support of annexation from 60% of its residents. This policy was established for the sole
purpose of ascertaining that support exists within the community to ensure a successful
completion to annexation before the City devotes its time and resources. This policy is strictly a
City policy and is not mandated by State or any other law.
The 60% policy can be difficult to achieve in larger communities containing thousands of
residents. In addition, in many instances requiring 60% has proven to be excessive in
determining overall support. For example, the 500 -acre Northpark annexation contained about
r -,���ISS- 6� f (��
�`CSIS ScC,-f; a� Ci ,
' r
e_ laS +- bi vlted i 4- P (�
6,000 residents, none -of whom ultimately protested the annexation.
ANALYSIS
A proposed policy is attached. Pursuant to Council direction, the policy includes the following
revisions:
• Lowers the threshold from 60% to a majority of, residents within a community or
homeowner's association; and
• Contains a provision that if 5% of registered voters in a community requests to seek
annexation, the City will. survey the community to determine the level of support for
annexation. If a majority of responding residents support annexation, the City may then
chose to pursue annexation.
• Contains a provision that if the board of a homeowners association requests to seek
annexation, the City will survey the property owners to determine the level of support for
annexation. If a majority of responding property owners support annexation, the City
may then chose to pursue annexation.
• Contains a provision that if a homeowners association seeking annexation represents at
least 5% of property owners within a larger community as determined by the City, the
City will survey the community to determine the level of support for annexation. If a
majority of responding property owners support annexation, the City may then chose to
pursue annexation.
• In both of these instances, Town Council notification is encouraged, if applicable.
The policy also contains a provision that allows for the City to pursue an annexation at any time
if there are overriding circumstances. The 5% threshold is identical to that found in the
Cortese -Knox -Hertzberg Local Government Reorganization Act of 2000, the State law regulating
annexations. Cortese -Knox requires that for a neighborhood or community initiated annexation
to be pursued with LAFCO, 5% of the registered voters must sign a petition to initiate the.
process. As noted above, under this new policy these same criteria may trigger the City to
initiate annexation proceedings. Similar to the existing policy, this new policy would continue to
ensure that there is adequate support within the community to result in a successful annexation.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
1. Council may choose not to adopt the policy.
2. Other direction as determined by the City Council.
FISCALIMPACT
This policy will result in no fiscal impact.
ATTACHMENTS
Annexation Initiation Policy
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
NUMBER I-13.1
ORIGINAL ISSUE
CURRENT ISSUE
SUPERSEDES I-13
EFFECTIVE 3/11/07
EFFECTIVE 11/27/07
RESPONSIBLE DEPARTMENT: Community Develop.
PURPOSE
POLICY/PROCEDURE
SUBJECT
Annexation Initiation Policy
CATEGORY
Legislative Relations
STANDARD MANAGEMENT PROCEDURE
The City of Santa Clarita has developed the following policy in an effort to establish the circumstances in
which the City may pursue a request for an annexation. The policy establishes basic criteria for
communities who wish to request annexation.
POLICY
1. The City may choose to pursue annexation at the written request of a majority of residents and/or
property owners within the community seeking annexation.
If a community seeking annexation is served by a Town Council the City will encourage the
community to advise the Town Council of the community's intentions.
2. At the written request of 5% of registered voters within a community seeking annexation, the City will
survey the community to determine the overall level of support for annexation. If the survey
determines that a majority of responding residents and/or property owners supports annexation, the
City may choose to pursue the annexation.
If a community seeking annexation is served by a Town. Council, the City will encourage the
community to advise the Town Council of the community's intentions.
3. Overriding Circumstances — The City may pursue either a sphere of influence amendment and/or
annexation without a written request if the City determines that there are overriding circumstances that
are deemed to be of benefit to the health, safety, general welfare or economic well-being of the citizens
of Santa Clarita or are a significant public benefit to the citizens of the City, which could include, but is
not limited to: the protection or acquisition of open space; development of active parkland; provision
of road connections and regional transportation corridors; development review control to ensure that
the visual and environmental resources of the area are preserved; promotion of an innovative land use;
the protection of sensitive and endangered plant and/or animal species; or acquisition of a strategically -
located area that advances City objectives.
EXCEPTION
Exceptions to this policy may be authorized by the City Manager or designee.
AUTHORITY
Adopted by the City Council Tuesday, November 27, 2007.
Kenneth R. Pulskamp, City Manager . 11
S : CD/ANNEX/M isc/CCAnnexationlnitiationPolicyNov07. doc