Washington citizens will get a chance to weigh in on the city’s proposed plan to annex adjacent property to the west, south and east of the current city limits.
A survey asking city residents to indicate whether or not they support annexation will be mailed out with the monthly utility bills.
City Administrator Jim Briggs said the November bills are scheduled to be mailed this week, probably by Thursday.
Residents are asked to complete and return the surveys by Saturday, Dec. 15, Briggs said.
The survey asks the question: “Should the city council proceed with submitting the annexation plan to the voters of Washington?”
There are spaces to check “yes” or “no” to that question as well as a space for comments.
A message on the form from Mayor Sandy Lucy reads:
“The mayor and city council are seeking your opinion on the annexation issue currently being considered. We would greatly appreciate your opinion and comments on this important issue.
“The survey can be returned to city hall at 405 Jefferson St. or it can be dropped off at the library or placed in the drop box at the library entrance.
“Thank you for your time on this important issue for your city.”
In June, following a year-long study and several revisions, the Washington Planning and Zoning Commission recommended an annexation plan to the city council which then held a workshop and is proposing to hold individual workshops on each of the various annexation areas. The dates for those individual workshop sessions are Nov. 26, west area; Jan. 28, east area; and Feb. 25, south area.
The latest version of the annexation plan under discussion includes:
South Area
This area generally includes Meadowlake Farms subdivision and large parcels east of the subdivision extending south from High Street.
The original south annexation area included Emerald City subdivision, Summer Hill Estates and Alexander Estates and lots along Pottery Road, all of which were later removed from the plan.
A proposal was made to add the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery property along Highway A to the south area. However, the church, which requested to include the cemetery, could immediately request voluntary annexation because of its proximity to the city limits, City Counselor Mark Piontek said.
West Area
The annexation area west of the Washington city limits includes a large tract of ground north of Westlink Industrial Drive and south of West Main Street, a small parcel along the south side of Bluff Road just west of Heidmann Industrial Park and pockets of property north of Highway 100 surrounded by land that’s in the city limits as well as Highway 100 right of way along stretches outside the city limits.
East Area
The proposed east area includes large areas of agricultural property on the north and south sides of Highway 100, including parcels along Bieker and South Point roads and the 60-acre parcel purchased by the Washington School District that lies east of St. John’s Road and south of Old Highway 100.
The latest plan also proposes to take in property north of Old Highway 100 to the Missouri River, from the existing city limits to a point east of St. John’s Road.
Go to the Washington city website to view maps of the annexation areas.
