DAPHNE, Ala.— The Daphne Planning Commission voted 7-0 to recommend the annexation of rights of way along Alabama Highway 181.
After discussing the options open to the city regarding the possible annexation of the right of way on Alabama …
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DAPHNE, Ala.— The Daphne Planning Commission voted 7-0 to recommend the annexation of rights of way along Alabama Highway 181.
After discussing the options open to the city regarding the possible annexation of the right of way on Alabama Highway 181 from U.S. Highway 90 to the south parcel line of Oldfield subdivision, commissioners decided to set up a work meeting to discuss land use and zoning for the property, if annexation is approved by the council. The rights of way are currently under the jurisdiction of the Alabama Department of Transportation.
The state has already been asked for a letter of consent to allow the annexation of the property. ALDOT has not responded yet, but the local division of ALDOT has sent a letter to the city in favor of the annexation.
Planning Commissioner Larry Chason asked if there had been any discussion about the future use of the property, because he felt the commission should have a vision for the property before annexation.
Commissioner Cathy Barnette said moving the city’s boundaries east made sense, but she wanted to ensure the move would make financial sense for the city as well.
“The piece of homework that hasn’t yet been done that we have discussed before are the costs of annexation. Not the maintenance itself, but what are the costs of moving our city limits to these boundaries as far as fire, police, water, sewer, garbage … all of that as we continue to move. Are we ready? Can we afford it given the budget we have today? That is an important consideration we need to take into account,” Barnette said.
Public Works director Richard Johnson said right now, the waste department is prepared to take new customers.
Fire Chief “Bo” White said from a public safety standpoint, the annexation would clear up a lot of confusion.
“There has always been some confusion as far as dispatch for the county to determine whose territory it is. Putting it within the city limits would definitely stretch our capabilities thin, but it would give us a clearer understanding of the city limits,” White said.
