Hold a Public Hearing on the proposed annexation of approximately 2.9 acres of privately-owned land as part of the expansion of the Fresh Start Church, generally located at the southeast corner of 83rd Avenue and Acoma Drive.  Pursuant to A.R.S. §9-471, no Council action may be taken at this time. 

The City of Peoria is initiating a request on behalf of the Fresh Start Church, for annexation of approximately 2.9-acres, located at the southeast corner of 83rd Avenue and Acoma Drive. Fresh Start Church currently operates as a place of worship on an 8.25-acre site directly south of the site within City limits.  The church is constructing a building on the subject site and desires connection to City water and sewer services.

The subject site is currently zoned Rural 43 (RU-43) within the County and retains a suburban/rural character with a minimum lot size of one-acre. Churches are permitted within the RU-43 zoning district. The Peoria General Plan Land Use designation is Traditional Residential. If annexed, within six (6) months of the effective date of annexation, the City will confer initial zoning that is consistent with or no more intense than the current County zoning.

Annexation Information

The subject property is more specifically depicted in the legal description (Exhibit 1) and map attached to this report (Exhibit 2). The property is contiguous to the City’s jurisdictional boundaries, lies within the City’s Planning Area (General Plan), and is in conformance with the adopted annexation policy.

The annexation process pursuant to A.R.S. §9-471 is briefly described below:

(a)  Filing of blank petition with County Recorder by the City opens up a thirty (30) day waiting period to discuss the proposal – COMPLETED

(b)  The City must then hold a public hearing (no action) to discuss the proposal within the waiting period – CITY COUNCIL 11/14/23

(c)   At the conclusion of the 30-day waiting period, the municipality has up to 1-year to collect signatures satisfying the annexation “test.” – NOT COMPLETED.

(d)  The City holds a final public hearing to consider and take action on the annexation request – ANTICIPATED TO BE 12/12/23

(e)  The annexation is effective 30 days upon adoption of the ordinance.

Under state statute, a successful annexation requires the completion of a petition with (a) signatures of owners of one-half or more in value of the real and personal property; and (b) more than one-half of the persons owning real and personal property that would be subject to taxation by the City in the event of annexation.

 No previous actions have been taken on this item.

A: Hold the first of two public hearings (no action) as required for annexation under A.R.S. §9-471.

B: Do not open the public hearing for the annexation request; proceedings to annex the subject property into the City would be abandoned at this time. 

Hold the first of two (2) public hearings required under A.R.S. §9-471, to begin proceedings to annex the subject property into the City.