Commission OKs annexation for animal shelter, replat

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SIDNEY — The petition for an annexation of a parcel of land where a new animal shelter will be built and a replat request were granted by the Sidney City Planning Commission Monday.

The commission approved the Shelby County Commissioners’ petition for an annexation of one parcel, of 6.855 acres, on the north side of Gearhart Road, east of Children’s Home Road. The purpose of the annexation, Community Services Director Barbara Dulworth said, is to make the property available for development with city utilities and services. The intent is to build a new animal shelter on the site.

The annexation consists of a single parcel which is currently undeveloped, she said. The suggested zoning district is in the B-2, community business district. She said an “animal hospital or kennel” is a conditionally permitted use in the B-2 district. The establishment of zoning requires separate action and will be scheduled for the commission’s review at a later date, Dulworth noted.

She told the commission the Annexation Review Committee conducted the required annexation assessment and found the annexation to be “consistent with the city policies and objectives, capable of being served by the city, and within the logical growth area of the city.”

Dulworth said the annexation will not generate a substantial negative impact on city facilities and services.

Commission members had several questions prior to voting to approve the petition. Commission member Merrill Asher asked Dulworth what she meant when she said the annexation will not generate a substantial negative impact. Dulworth responded that if an annexation request came in that needed police or fire services beyond what staffing or response levels could handle, or if the area has a need of roads or water/sewer utilities beyond the city’s ability to serve, that would be a negative impact.

Asher commented he had read that the fire chief had a concern, since the annexation will be “at the end of the line,” with enough available water pressure.

Commission member David Gross asked about water run off. He expressed concern about drainage in the area given the fact that trees to be removed will cause a difference with drainage.

Dulworth said only a very small area of land will be cleared of the trees. She said only the area where the animal shelter and its parking lot is set to be built will be cleared and that most of the wooded area will stay. She said the drainage will be down hill, to the west, to a property where drainage is already in place.

Asher asked if the city engineer’s office followed the standards regarding right of way. He noted that the roadway currently has a 50-foot right of way and that the city requires a 60-foot right of way. Dulworth said as part of the annexation, 10-feet of an additional right of way required, is also being dedicated.

Further questions came forth about the how the property could be annexed since it was unclear to some member as to whether the annexation was continuous or contiguous to surrounding county property owned. The annexation is contiguous with city property across the roadway, which is all that is required, Dulworth said. She also said that the property is allowed to be annexed as long as there is not a “doughnut hole” next to the annexation.

The commission also approved the request of Britt Havenar, on behalf of Kathleen Shiflett, for a replat to create new one lot from two lots at 743 Chestnut Ave. in the single family residential district. Dulworth told commission members the purpose of the replat is to create one lot on which a single family residence and accessory buildings are built.

The resulting lot has an area of 16,117 square feet. No new utility easements are included with the replat. The property is adjacent to the alley right of way at the rear in a fully developed neighborhood and utilities are already provided, Dulworth said.

By Sheryl Roadcap

[email protected]

Reach the writer at 937-538-4823.

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