City Council has discussion on request for annexation

The Wayland City Council Monday night held a discussion about the Oct. 14 public hearing on an annexation request from property owners’ along 12^th Street.

City Manager Josh Eggleston actually made a presentation about the request. Though acknowledging the city officially is taking a neutral stand, members unanimously agreed to proceed with the talks.

Eggleston noted the request involves 15 property owners along 12^th Street south from 135^th Avenue to 130^th Avenue, just to the west of the U.S.-131 expressway. A proposed infrastructure project would cost an estimated $12.7 million.

The Hopkins Township Board, meanwhile, has been looking into the possibility of establishing the region as a downtown development district with tax increment financing. The properties are all located within Hopkins Township borders.

The petition was filed earlier this year by Realtor Brian Silvernail to the Michigan State Boundary Commission.

The city manager said annual assessment costs may be too prohibitive for some of the property owners for city taxes and hooking up to city sewer and water services.

“I think numbers may scare away some of the property owners,” he said. “They need cooperation not often experienced here regionally. The development value of the land would need to be 30-plus million to make the projects feasible. Currently the taxable value of the area is about 2.5 million.”

The public hearing has been scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14, at the Wayland High School Fine Arts Center, but it may still be held virtually because of continuing concerns about the Coronavirus.

Councilman Abe Garcia asked what a good time would be to approve the go-ahead for the project, noting the question could be brought up again if not approved.

Eggleston said if it’s brought up again, in say, two years, the cost would be even more prohibitive.

“Can we do this development incrementally, phase it in?” asked Councilwoman Jennifer Antel.

The city manager said it is possible, but not sure if it is wise.

Eggleston said 133^rd Avenue is the critical part because 12th Street is not paved south of that road. He added his concerns about enough taxable value for building water and sewer connection under the expressway to the west, though there already exists natural gas and electricity in the area.

However, he added the question is, “If they (the property owners) want to be part of the city, who are we to reject them?”

In other business Monday evening, the council:

• Learned from new City Clerk Lee Ann Clausen that the number of absentee ballots she has sent (728) is more than double the number of those requested for 2016 and 2018.
• Heard a presentation from Katie Beemer, intern about in-house training strategies for local boards, commissions and orientation, targeting the City Council, Planning Commission, Zoning Board of Appeals, Downtown Development Authority and Board of Review.