The first steps were taken Tuesday night by Sulphur Springs City Council to being the process of annexing the former Luminant property into the city.
“Now that the city now owns the former Luminant property, one of the first steps that needs to happen before it’s incorporated into the city limits is to annex the property. Before we do that, we need to establish what process we’re going to file on as far as annexation is concerned as well as indicate whether we need to offer any development agreements to any property owners that would be affected as part of the annexation,” .Sulphur Springs Community Development Director Tory Niewiadomski.
Because the property is city-owned, it could be filed under an exempt annexation procedure, which wouldn’t require an annexation plan or development agreement. Resolution No. 1184, would establish that process, the community development director explained, and recommended the council approve it.
Councilman Doug Moore asked whether the 15-19 acres of railroad and farm market road would be included in that property and if not, would they be considered in the city limits.
Niewiadomski said they would be “accepted,” that they dedicated right-of-ways of the state.
Moore asked if the railroad that comes through town is considered part of the city. Niewiadomski said they are still part of the city, but are are railroad right-of-ways.
City Manager Marc Maxwell said to annex city property into the city would be a relatively easy process, started with the two resolutions. Adding any railroad right-of-ways or a home would complicate the matter considerably.
Notices still have to be given to the railroad, state and Department of Transportation of the proposed annexation. Annexing their properties would “completely change the procedure,” City Attorney Jim McLeroy said.
Resolution No. 1184 was unanimously approved by the council.
Niewiadomski said the next step in the annexation process is to set dates, times and a place to hold public hearings before the proposed annexation for the Luminant property can be considered.
He recommended Tuesday, Jan. 7, at 6:30 p.m. and Thursday, Jan. 9, at 6 p.m., which would give officials time to give and post notices as required by law.
McLeroy recommended starting at 5:30 p.m. Jan. 7, to be held prior to the regularly scheduled City Council meeting. Since it is a regular council night.
The council unanimously approved Resolution No. 1185 as recommended by city staff regarding the schedule for two public hearings for the proposed annexation of the former Luminant property into the city.
