Summary:
The City of Peoria initiated 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 located 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 within an unincorporated County "island" within Peoria's Planning Area. Sufficient utilities exist adjacent to the property and the City has the capacity and ability to fully serve the property. Moreover, the annexation will unify the existing campus and expansion site under one jurisdiction. The City has deemed the annexation to be in conformance with its Annexation Policy.
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. Places of Worship are permitted within the RU-43 zoning district. If annexed, State Statute requires that the City grant initial or "translational" zoning within six (6) months of the effective date of annexation. The Initial Zoning will appear on a separate Council agenda in the near future should the subject site be annexed.
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.” – COMPLETED.
(d) The City holds a final public meeting to consider and take action on the annexation request – CITY COUNCIL 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.