Annexation approved
By Barbara Arntsen
Published in News on February 3, 2004 2:04 PM
The Goldsboro City Council passed a resolution Monday declaring its intention to annex land near Salem Church and Buck Swamp roads.
The area includes Ashby Hills, Fallingbrook Estates, Morgan Trace, Buck Run, Pineview Acres, Tarklin Acres and Canterbury Village Subdivisions. It includes an area that some residents had hoped to form a town called Northbrook.
Before passing the resolution, council members discussed the annexation process briefly in a work session prior to the meeting.
Newly elected Councilman Jimmy Bryan said he had been asked a lot of questions about the proposed annexation, and he wanted to know what stage the process was in.
City Councilman Chuck Allen told him that it was in the "final stages."
Councilman Charles Williams said that annexation was the only way for the city to grow.
Allen said the city had been working on the annexation for almost two years and had picked that area because it was a high-growth area.
"We had to pick the best bang for the buck," Allen said. "What happens to something that doesn't grow? It dies."
The city first voted to consider annexing that area in June 2002. State law requires that cities adopt a resolution of consideration at least one year before adopting a resolution of intent.
Though the city plans on holding a public hearing on April 5, as required by law, it also will hold a public information session about the annexation on March 25 at Lane Tree Golf Club.
That meeting will give city officials the chance to explain its plans and policies concerning city services.
An annexation report will be given to the Wayne County Board of Commissioners before the March meeting, so the commissioners will know the financial effect the annexation will have on the county.
In April, the council will take the final vote on the annexation. If it passes then, the area will be annexed into Goldsboro on June 30.
A number of residents in the area to be annexed have voiced opposition, and some tried to form another town.
The proposed town, Northbrook, would have taken in 2,500 acres and about 3,000 people.
A state Senate committee rejected the Northbrook plan.