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PROPERTY INCLUDED IN THE LAND DEPARTMENT’S FIVE-YEAR DISPOSITION
April 02 , 2005 by EditorThe Town of Fountain Hills is assessing the annexation of a 1,276-acre-parcel of State Trust Land north of town. The parcel is bordered by Fountain Hills on two sides and is considered by the Town to be a logical extension of its corporate limits.
“We’re taking a hard look at what is best for the Town,” said Fountain Hills Town Manager Tim Pickering. “Our staff has done a great deal of research on this project and consulted with our sister cities in the Valley regarding their experience in integrating State Land. Furthermore, we’ve discussed the annexation with a variety of local, county and state agencies, as well as holding numerous meetings with State Trust Land officials, including five over the past two months.”
“If the Town were to annex the land, it would ensure integrated infrastructure such as roads and utilities, as well as common fire and law enforcement services,” Pickering added.
State Urban Lands Act Process Use in Land Disposition
The State Land Commissioner has chosen to use the Urban Lands Act to dispose of this parcel of State Trust Land and has initiated the process to classify the Trust Land as suitable for urban planning.
In assessing the issue of whether or not the land is suitable for urban planning, the State Land Department will sponsor a public hearing that will be attended by Town officials. Shortly after this hearing, the State Land Commissioner could make a determination that the land is suitable for urban planning and approve a State General Plan for the land. The State Land Commissioner would then select a “permittee” who would prepare a detailed plan for the development of the land. Some time after the selection of the permittee, the land could be rezoned and a preannexation agreement could be prepared. After a public hearing on the permittee’s plan is held by the State, the Commissioner may approve the plan. After the plan is approved, the land may be appraised and sold at auction. “The town intends to actively participate in this process from the initial hearing to the auction,” said Tim Pickering, Town Manager.
Providing water to the land is essential for its development. On March 10, 2005, Chaparral City Water submitted a request to the Arizona Corporation Commission to extend its service area to include the State Trust Land in question. The town supports the water company’s request to expand its service area to include the State Land in conjunction with annexation.
“Annexation of the State Land is important to the Town,” said Fountain Hills Mayor Wally Nichols. “The Town would like to see the land developed with uses compatible with existing development in the town and the best way to do that is to have the land in the Town. The Town also wants to ensure that the road network functions well with the Town’s road system at the time of development and in the future. Future residents of this land will be using Town facilities and services. Existing residents should not have to subsidize the use of these facilities by others.
The Town will want to see high quality development on this land that will positively impact the value of nearby property within the Town.”
