By Jason A. Givens

October 19, 2006 | RICHMOND -- The City Council had a public hearing Tuesday night to hear comments on the possible annexation of about 200 acres owned by Gary Gibbons and Robert Skabelund. Several citizens showed up to voice concerns. Mayor Mike Hall said more people were there than had been in a long time.

"I don't know what's going to happen with the land, I don't think anybody does," Jerry Woodland, a neighbor to the proposed annexation, said. "If they knew what was going to happen, I wouldn't have an objection to it."

City Judge Beth Skidmore, speaking as a citizen and not a judge, said, "It will be homes, let's face it that's what it will be." She added it will increase expenses for the city and you can't just keep adding homes without adding businesses that will generate revenue for the city.

"It's a chicken-and-egg situation," Hall said. He said the city's population is too small to attract a lot of businesses.

City Manager Marlowe Adkins said the annexation ordinance says infrastructure costs will be covered by the developer, not the city.

Another resident who lives near the proposed annexation, Steve Christensen, expressed concern about traffic and water. He said the road is already dangerous and he is not sure how development of the land will affect his well. He added it is "prime pheasant hunting land and it will be sad to see it go."

Hall said the city bought some additional water shares and they have sufficient water. He said he doesn't think the well will be an issue. If the land is developed, it will not be on a well system.

"Just because the land is annexed doesn't mean it will automatically be developed," Hall said. The land will come in as A-10 (one residence per 10 acres) and they would have to go to Planning and Zoning and the council before it can be changed.

A motion to pursue annexation will be made at a future council meeting.

The council almost voted on moving the implementation of a voluntary recycling program from July 2007 to November 2006. Since it was not on the agenda they could not vote on it.

"I'm uncomfortable putting this extra charge on the citizens without giving warning that we are moving the timetable from July to November," Councilwoman Terrie Wierenga said.

The recycling issue will be placed on November's agenda to give the public an opportunity to comment.

The council also approved a winter parking ordinance that prohibits parking on the street between 10 p.m. and 7 a.m., Nov. 1 through March 31. The ordinance passed 3 - 1. Wierenga said she thinks 10 p.m. is too early, and voted against it.

The new ordinance will not be enforced until it has been put out to the the public.

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