November 2, 1989

Annexation hearing rather quiet

       The expected fire over Greenwood’s west side annexation plans turned out to be little more than a smoldering ember. The Greenwood City Council began discussion Monday night of a controversial annexation proposal along State Road 135 with only two people voicing opposition. A preliminary vote on annexation could come later this month with a final vote in early December. In October, the Greenwood Plan Commission voted 9-1 in favor of annexing about 140 acres of land along both sides of the highway between Main Street and Smith Valley Road. The request opposed by about 35 to 40 homeowners in the area. That opposition was expected when the council took up final consideration on the matter. But the opposition wasn’t present Monday night. “Many of the people aren’t her; they were worn out at the last meeting,” said Villa Heights resident Cliff Wharton. Villa Heights is one of the subdivisions located in the commercial/residential area up for annexation. The current annexation drive is the third and final phase of a city annexation program along the highway that began in 1987. About 85 percent of the Villa Heights residents have signed a petition opposing becoming part of Greenwood. “All things considered, we can’t see any benefit to the residents of Villa Heights, except paying higher taxes, and we’ve yet to decide if that’s a benefit,” Wharton said. The Hunting Creek, Brann and Sutton Park subdivisions, as well as some larger residential lots and commercial property along the highway, are also included in the area to be annexed. The area contains 93 acres of residential development and 47 acres of commercial land. Opponents have tried to fight the issue, saying annexation will mean nothing but higher taxes. The opponents claim they already receive all the services they need so they’ll be paying for nothing. The average annual tax increase for a Hunting Creek homeowner will be about $240, based on the proposed 1990 tax rate. Susan Demunbrun, a Sutton Park resident, asked the council to consider the economic impact of annexation on the people in the area. “This is not a wealthy area,” she said. Demunbrun said she knows of three elderly residents on fixed income who will have a hard time paying additional taxes. The city wants to annex the area because it’s integral part of the community and will help square off the west boundary, officials say. The area will generate about $395,000 in taxes during the first five years following annexation, according to a city planning study. Expenses in the area will be about $293,500 during the same time period, leaving a positive balance of $101,500. The first phase of the annexation program between County Line Road and Fairview Road drew heavy opposition from homeowners in the Pleasant Creek Acres subdivision. It was approved by the city and went unchallenged in court. The second phase of the annexation program between Fairview Road and Main Street contained no residential land and was unopposed.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)
 
 

---