A Case for Changing SC's Annexation Laws

[erm1981]

Areas with 14,000 people in a square mile should be annexed IMO. Most of Greenville's urban areas are not in the city as we are all aware.

[krazeeboi]

Well, we've said a lot of what has been mentioned in these articles previously, but I wanted to give something a bit more authoritative.

I would like to see numbers. As a resident living the city, if we annex say 100 people, how many cents or dollars does my water bill or property taxes drop? Where would a city provide these numbers?

Numbers are forthcoming, I assure you.

As for curbing sprawl, this simply seems to be a myth. Sprawl in the US is at an all time high and cities have been annexing for years. The way I see it, say 100 people live just outside the city limits....the city annexes them......another 100 build on the edge of the new municipal boundary.....the city then annexes them.....another 100 build on the edge of yet another new boundary.......an endless cycle. Not sure there is really a cure (or even help) for sprawl unless Americans change their fundamental way of thinking or larger government entities (states or counties) enact ULTRA strict land usage laws.

I think annexation is beneficial in curbing sprawl when undeveloped land gets annexed that is later developed; that's a proactive strategy.

[krazeeboi]

I took the liberty of contacting David Rusk, the author of the report that spurred the creation of this thread. In addition to doing studies that encompass all of SC's central cities, he also did studies on Greenville in particular and he graciously supplied me with this information. Gsupstate, you say you want numbers? I've got some that will last you for a lifetime.

http://www.geocities.com/antical79/Greenville_case_study.htm

http://www.geocities.com/antical79/Appendi...xpenditures.htm

http://www.geocities.com/antical79/Appendix_B_revenues.htm

http://www.geocities.com/antical79/Appendi...portability.htm

http://www.geocities.com/antical79/Appendi...xport_ratio.htm

http://www.geocities.com/antical79/Appendix_C2_LY.htm

[gs3]

^ My hat's off to you krazee.

When you're out of college, you'll probably make it in the world.

See how simple? And it only took multiple days and page after page of posting the same question. I guess persistence in asking questions does pay off.

No one bothered to really give the facts, they gave their opinion and said they were facts.

Beautiful reading. Thank you.

I'll be more agreeable to annexation now, while I'm still enjoying that famous Greenville quality of life!

Edited January 4, 2007 by gsupstate

[krazeeboi]

In the end, the material is saying everything we've said all along (along with the info in the links previously provided); now we see how it all specifically applies to Greenville.

[erm1981]

When are they going to vote on the new bills for annexation at the state house? just wondering....

[krazeeboi]

I'm not sure; maybe Spartan knows.

Which reminds me, I need to email my reps to voice my support.

[Spartan]

They have to go to committee first, and thats where they usually die. If they do go up for vote, I am certain that we will find out quickly.

A good resource to keep track of what the legislature is doing regarding these is the Municipal Association of South Carolina.

[krazeeboi]

Well, I emailed my representative (Carl Gullick, House District 48) and he had this to say:

Thank you for your email regarding annexation. The only prefiled bill I have seen regarding this topics addresses "donut holes" and allowing cities to annex then more easily.

I support this bill. Furthermore, like you, I think our annexation laws

handicap cities and need to be changed and I will support any reasonable effort to make our annexation laws more like those of North Carolina.

Thank you again for the email.

I guess he doesn't know about the prefiled bills that lowers the freeholder percentage from 75% to 60% or that make annexation more feasible on the basis of population density. At any rate, it's great that he supports making our annexation laws more like NC's.

[vicupstate]

Doughnut Hole Annexation Law legislative hearing set for Feb 7

It would be great if someone from U.P. could cover this. It doesn't look like McConnell will be an ally, but it seems that there is some support for making changes. I heard 'annexation reform' menetioned by Sanford in last night's speech (I had just turned it on).

The article says Charleston has more than 50 doughnut holes, but an unknown number would be affected by this new law. I expect Greer would have quite a few as well. What other cities have a large number? Nearly all the bigger cities have a least a couple.

[erm1981]

Ill be surprised if this thing passes. I hope it does though.

[MikesLogic]

Yeah I doubt it will but it would be great!

[krazeeboi]

Email your representatives voicing your support for this bill!!!!!

[Spartan]

Email your representatives voicing your support for this bill!!!!!

If you don't know who your representative is, then your worries are gone!

Check out the Legislator Search feature on the General Assembly's website.

[GvilleSC]

If you don't know who your representative is, then your worries are gone!

Check out the Legislator Search feature on the General Assembly's website.

Thanks Spartan, you made it easy. Bruce Bannister now knows where I stand.

[krazeeboi]

Although he's not my senator, I'm also going to email McConnell and share my thoughts as well. If anyone has the power to block this thing, it's him.

[Spartan]

Since Sen Jim Richie is my senator, and he is sponsoring the annexation bills, I am pretty confident that he will vote for it. I plan on telling him I support him though.

[erm1981]

Any news on this?

[g-man430]

^^^Yes: http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs....D=2007703040355 and http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs....D=2007703050306

[kevin boyd]

^^^Yes: http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs....D=2007703040355 and http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs....D=2007703050306

Do anyone know the progress of the bill to date......on annexation

[Spartan]

All of the proposals are still sitting in committee.

[erm1981]

How long will they sit there?

[krazeeboi]

Until they expire, as usual.

[sonofaque86]

Here is something from The State this morning about a bill targeting unincorporated urban islands...

http://www.thestate.com/154/story/29414.html

In January, Sen. Jim Ritchie, R-Spartanburg, introduced legislation to give a municipality power to annex land it completely surrounds. The land must be less than 50 acres, contain fewer than 25 registered voters and be surrounded for more than three years. The bill is in the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Rep. Bill Herbkersman, R-Bluffton, introduced a separate bill to allow annexation of land surrounded by a municipality, but it forbids land grabs. Residents would have to be notified of annexation intent 30 days before the first public hearing. The bill is in the House Judiciary Committee.

Edited April 7, 2007 by sonofaque86

[krazeeboi]

The funny thing about that is that Forest Acres itself should be a part of Columbia. The last line of the article is pretty funny, as most Forest Acres residents will more than likely identify with Columbia, particularly to outsiders.