City starts process to annex South Valley Drive area

'Doughnut hole:' Residents don't see benefit to city living

By Scott Aust, Journal staff | Friday, September 05, 2008

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Despite residents' skepticism of the benefits, Rapid City is continuing to move ahead with a plan to bring a large chunk of land along South Valley Drive south of S.D. Highway 44 into the city limits.

On Tuesday, the Rapid City Council approved a resolution of intent to annex about 900 acres along South Valley Drive. About three months ago, the city annexed about 500 acres along North Valley Drive, part of a renewed push this year to annex land on the city's east side that is outside yet encircled by the city limits.

An annexation committee earlier this year recommended the city take steps to eliminate what has been described as a "doughnut hole" surrounded by the city limits.

Like North Valley Drive residents, people who live along South Valley Drive don't believe annexation will be a benefit or bring improvement in services they already receive from Pennington County.

"We have everything that we need. We're very happy the way it is," South Valley Drive resident Joyce Astleford said. "We like the country feeling and atmosphere living here the way that we do. Our sewer system is fine. We have plenty of water in our own well."

Astleford said she and her neighbors are worried the city will impose new rules on them. They also aren't convinced of the advantages to being within the city limits compared to being in the county.

Annexation benefits cited by city officials include voting in city elections, city fire and police protection that could mean reduced property insurance rates, street and streetlight maintenance, snow plowing, city trash pickup upon request and less taxes on agriculture land, and although property taxes on owner-occupied homes may be 3 percent to 4 percent higher, the increase could be offset by a reduction in county taxes.

Glenn Wishard, who also lives on South Valley Drive, said like other neighbors, he is skeptical about the benefits but somewhat resigned that it probably will happen.

"I'm surrounded by the city," he said. "I've only talked to one or two other people, and they're a little upset, but their situation is different than mine. But people figure it's going to happen."

One of the questions he has heard expressed is what happens to people who have livestock. Some people have horses, cows, goats and chickens, and they aren't sure how annexation will affect them.

Wishard believes he will be required to buy a permit for his septic tank, and he knows property taxes on his home will go up.

"We get very good service as far as the sheriff's department, the county. The services they're talking about I don't think will be any better -- probably not as good," he said. "We're fairly happy the way we are."

Karen Bulman of the city's growth management office said the only requirement regarding animals such as horses or chickens is they need to be 150 feet away from a neighboring residence. She said the city is not going to go out looking for violations unless a next-door neighbor complains.

Bulman said those properties also could be put within an agriculture zoning district, which allows those uses. But in general, whatever is out there today will be exempt from city rules.

"If they were legal in the county, they're legal in the city," she said.

Bulman said the majority of people on South Valley Drive are connected to Rapid Valley Sanitary District's water and sewer system, though there are a few septic systems in the annexation area. No one is being forced to abandon their septic system, she said.

Notices will be sent by certified mail to property owners within the proposed annexation area later this month informing them of upcoming city hearing dates.

The Pennington County Commission will be asked for approval Sept. 16. State law requires county approval whenever property in the annexation area is unplatted. About 579 acres within the annexation area are undeveloped.

After that, the annexation proposal will be heard by the Planning Commission on Oct. 9, the city's Legal and Finance Committee on Oct. 15, and the full city council on Oct. 20 for a decision.

If the full council approves, the South Valley Drive annexation would become effective 20 days after the meeting minutes are published in the newspaper.

However, the council's decision could be referred to a public vote if petitions signed by 5 percent of registered voters within the city and the proposed annexation area are submitted to the city within the 20-day period. If an election occurs, all registered voters in the city and in the proposed annexation area would be eligible to vote on the issue.

Contact Scott Aust at 394-8415 or scott.aust@rapidcityjournal.com