city annexation---good or bad?

[harley152]

bought 10 acres 4 years ago with 10 acres zoned ag to the north, 10 acres to the east zoned ag, 2 parcels across the street, [south]-one 5 acre zoned ag and one 5 acre zoned res(one house per 5 acres), and a high-density development across the street to the west. Yesturday got an official notice from the city of their intent to annex all of us! I have a good well, good and currently approved septic(county) and a new new home approx. 1/4 constructed. Worried that they may force city water/sewer hook-up, change zoning to heavy residential (I've already applied for ag exemtion).

Any input/advise/or experience appreciated!!

TIA
Jerry

 

[thcri]

Harley,

Welcome to TBN. It would help us help you if you could go back in and fill out your profile. This way people in your area can help most.

From what I know they can't force you to hook up until you need repairs on your septic or if they deem it being bad. But every area is different and I think you should be calling an attorney.

murph

 

[tomnky]

In Ky. if sewer is available , You are required by law to hook on, no matter how good Your septic system is. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[RoyJackson]

I suggest you get with your neighbors and challenge the annexation.

Government has no right to annex your property. I don't know if you'd be required to hook up to a sewer system, but there is no doubt you'll pay higher taxes.

I do suggest you get with your neighbors and other persons affected by this as soon as possible to nip it in the bud.

 

[DannyD]

Been there done that.

OK, I bought my home and it had already been annexed. Later found out it was annexed to give the town enough homes to help pay for a second hand, useless sewer system, that today is illegal anyway. We were required to hook on, and all new construction is required to hook on........at a very large fee per home. We pay for the "debt" and for the "use" regardless if it goes down the drive or down the drain. I asked at the last meeting when the debt is paid do the bills go down........."well in theory" they will, but something will come up no doubt.

Taxes, yes they will go up

Fighting annexation, you can try, most loose out to the powers that want the addresses in town, so they can tax you till you move or learn to live with it. Dont expect any special services either, I pay for garbage, recycling, from the town, NO CHOICE either.

 

[InlineDieselFan]

depending on where you live annexation might be real good. Instead of 1 house on five acres you could sub-divide and put 8 or more houses on one acre. You have the potential to make a lot of money on this then move. Not what you want to hear when you are still building your home.

I myself would be happy for city annexation, 19 acres times 8 houses per acre. Equals early retirement.

steve

 

[Av8r3400]

My parents fought off an annexation to "square the borders" of the city. All annexation will get you is EXPENSE!!! Taxes, sewer, water, curb, gutter, sidewalk, on and on and on.....


/forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif FIGHT IT!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

 

[Volfandt]

Here in my area, county residents pay only county taxes whilst city folk pay the same county tax plus an almost equal city tax. Basically the city tax pays for fire protection and garbage pickup. Since I'm in the county I pay a yearly subscription for fire/ambulance protection and take my garbage to the concience center myself and my cost is nowhere near what city tax would be should they annex me.

Whats happenning around here now is that the city is doing "finger" annexations of commercial properties along major roads. This is cutting into the county's take so every couple of years we vote on unified government. So far it's been defeated because they can't or won't tell us how our taxes will be effected. Eliminateing duplication of government makes sense but not at the cost of doubling my taxes which doesn't make sense. You'd think the rates would go down as opposed to up!

I am on sewer now and it's been good for me. My lower property (where the septic field was) didn't perculate very well during heavy rains and the smell would tell me it wasn't working very well. EVen tho sewer costs more than water, it's still a pretty good deal for me.

I'd weight the advantages before agreeing but unfortunatly, if it's for the good of the community then they'll get it.
It's kinda like when they built a subdivision right down the road from me and they needed a right of way across the front of my property to extend natural gas service. They sent this noce couple and offered me $2 a foot to cross (200'). While negotiating they also agreed to to run a line up to the house ( approx 225') at no cost so I agreed. I then asked them what would they have done if I had said no and they said another agent would come out and negotiate with me. I then said what if I told him no and they said, well, they would get it one way or the other and that there really wasn't anyway to stop it. Seems the county has a right of way along he property lines anyways, at least here in my county.

Good luck
Volfandt

 

[Birdhunter1]

Where i live it is a bad idea for them to coe our way any at all. All we woudl get is a sub-standard police force, a very low rated fire departmet and a long list of problems in the city government and the taxes to help them out of the mess they have created for themselves.
As well as a poor sewage system, a bunch of useless building codes and whatever else the lamebrain city officials want to impose.

 

[turnkey4099]

Annexation is only a benefit if you plan on selling all or part of your property. If you intend to keep all of it, annexation is a net loss (and a big one).

Harry K