Laurie
05-11-2005, 03:47 PM
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvd/news/051105_APstate_xgrannexation.html
Annexation Hot Issue for NC Municipalities
By The Associated Press
(05/11/05 - RALEIGH) — Officials of municipalities and citizens squared off Wednesday over whether the state should change the law that allows forced annexations.
The North Carolina League of Municipalities, attracting 400 local leaders to its annual Town Hall lobbying day at the General Assembly, so far have successfully bottled up in committee several bills that would alter or suspend involuntary annexations.
In response, about 75 people with the group Stop NC Annexation held placards outside the Legislative Building and lobbied lawmakers to debate the measures.
They want a change that would allow them to petition municipalities seeking annexations. With enough signatures, those living in the area sought for annexation could vote on whether to allow it.
"That's all we want," said Catherine Heath of Wake County, co-chair of the annexation group. "We want a voice."
North Carolina allowed such votes until the Legislature eliminated them in 1959.
The League of Municipalities argues the law shouldn't be changed. The law lays out uniform rules for towns and cities to annex unincorporated areas that have reached a certain population density.
The current statutes "keep our communities strong, and are fair and balanced," said Ellis Hankins, the league's executive director. The league urged its members to oppose any legislation that would weaken annexation authority.
One annexation bill before the General Assembly would put a moratorium on involuntary annexations while a study committee examines the issue. Another would give landowners in annexed areas up to 25 years to pay for installing city water and sewer lines.
Last year, a House committee declined to recommend a local bill that would have allowed citizens being annexed by the Forsyth County town of Kernersville to vote on whether to accept the annexation.
Heath said she's hopeful that forced-annexation opponents can get a hearing on some of these bills.
The bills must pass at least one chamber by June 2 or will probably be considered dead for at least a year.
Annexation Hot Issue for NC Municipalities
By The Associated Press
(05/11/05 - RALEIGH) — Officials of municipalities and citizens squared off Wednesday over whether the state should change the law that allows forced annexations.
The North Carolina League of Municipalities, attracting 400 local leaders to its annual Town Hall lobbying day at the General Assembly, so far have successfully bottled up in committee several bills that would alter or suspend involuntary annexations.
In response, about 75 people with the group Stop NC Annexation held placards outside the Legislative Building and lobbied lawmakers to debate the measures.
They want a change that would allow them to petition municipalities seeking annexations. With enough signatures, those living in the area sought for annexation could vote on whether to allow it.
"That's all we want," said Catherine Heath of Wake County, co-chair of the annexation group. "We want a voice."
North Carolina allowed such votes until the Legislature eliminated them in 1959.
The League of Municipalities argues the law shouldn't be changed. The law lays out uniform rules for towns and cities to annex unincorporated areas that have reached a certain population density.
The current statutes "keep our communities strong, and are fair and balanced," said Ellis Hankins, the league's executive director. The league urged its members to oppose any legislation that would weaken annexation authority.
One annexation bill before the General Assembly would put a moratorium on involuntary annexations while a study committee examines the issue. Another would give landowners in annexed areas up to 25 years to pay for installing city water and sewer lines.
Last year, a House committee declined to recommend a local bill that would have allowed citizens being annexed by the Forsyth County town of Kernersville to vote on whether to accept the annexation.
Heath said she's hopeful that forced-annexation opponents can get a hearing on some of these bills.
The bills must pass at least one chamber by June 2 or will probably be considered dead for at least a year.