Larry Dorr, who lives in unincorporated Clark County and is bracing for likely annexation by the city of Vancouver, had a straightforward question for city councilors on Monday night: What’s in it for us?
Dorr pointed out that the city’s police force is understaffed and said his recycling services would be cut once the annexation took place. On top of likely longer emergency response times and possibly fewer services, he’s expecting his annual cost for taxes and utilities to increase.
“My question is, what do we get for this?” Dorr asked.
On Monday night, counselors moved forward with the controversial move to annex the area known as Van Mall North with its approximate 4,600 residents. During the same meeting, councilors also considered updating their code and standards around the number of domestic animals people can own and discussed the future of RV parking and trailers in driveways.
The council only briefly touched on each topic, but will hold a public hearing on all three on April 17.
• Annexation:
The city is in the midst of annexing approximately 2 square miles, or 1,270 acres, into the city’s limits.
The move to annex the area known as Van Mall North includes Green Meadows, an unincorporated Clark County area where some residents aren’t pleased about the prospect of being part of the city.
Many members of the Green Meadows community mobilized when they first heard about the possible annexation.
Some voiced concern the 18-hole, 6,400-yard golf course they live around would be developed into condominiums, which would hurt the property value of their homes. The golf course is zoned for development but there are no current plans.
John Hallinen, a veteran, who has spoke to councilors before about the annexation, pushed them to allow the residents to vote on whether they wanted to be annexed. Hallinen said he doesn’t believe the city has the authority to use utility covenant as a basis for annexation.
State law allows a city to annex an area if it has signatures from property owners who own at least 60 percent of its property value. The signatures were obtained through covenants that residents signed when they purchased homes and connected to city services.
Councilor Bill Turlay told Hallinen his heart was with him.
“But the law isn’t,” Turlay said.
• Animals:
Have you long wondered if your pet peacock is an outlaw?
Well, it is.
City code prohibits pet peacocks and roosters. But the city recently realized it has no limits when it comes to other domestic animals.
On Monday night, counselors considered updating their code to create a standard around the number of dogs, cats, rabbits and hens people can keep on their property.
Councilors are considering updating the city’s code to limit, with some exceptions, the number of dogs to three, and the number of cats, rabbits and hens to five.
• RVs and trailers:
The city is also working toward clarifying its code to make it clear vehicles or vessels that are inoperable or undergoing repair are not allowed in driveways and they must be registered.
Some people would like to see the code strengthened.
Councilor Bart Hansen noted even with a registration “the blue tarps are very real,” meaning a boat or RV could be parked in front of a house for a long time.
But Mayor Tim Leavitt pointed out that it’s a slippery slope. He has some neighbors with cars that some people might consider junky.
“Where do we stop?” he said.
The city will hear from the public next week.
