Download Zipped Introduced WP 9 HB0324S5.ZIP 15,624 Bytes
[Status][Bill Documents][Fiscal Note][Bills Directory]

Fifth Substitute H.B. 324

Senator John L. Valentine proposes the following substitute bill:


             1     
PROTECTION OF UNINCORPORATED AREAS

             2     
IN COUNTIES OF THE FIRST CLASS

             3     
2002 GENERAL SESSION

             4     
STATE OF UTAH

             5     
Sponsor: A. Lamont Tyler

             6      This act modifies the Utah Municipal Code by amending provisions relating to annexation.
             7      The act provides for the review of municipal annexations in a county of the first class by the
             8      county legislative body. The act sets standards for the effective date of annexations. The act
             9      amends the definition of affected entity to include community councils. The act limits forced
             10      annexations to those areas within a municipality's expansion area and amends the definition
             11      of expansion area with respect to municipalities in first class counties. The act amends the
             12      formula for approving annexations based upon projected costs and revenues. The act makes
             13      other technical changes.
             14      This act affects sections of Utah Code Annotated 1953 as follows:
             15      AMENDS:
             16          10-2-401, as last amended by Chapter 206, Laws of Utah 2001
             17          10-2-405, as last amended by Chapter 206, Laws of Utah 2001
             18          10-2-407, as last amended by Chapter 206, Laws of Utah 2001
             19          10-2-408, as last amended by Chapter 206, Laws of Utah 2001
             20          10-2-416, as last amended by Chapter 206, Laws of Utah 2001
             21      ENACTS:
             22          10-2-407.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             23          10-2-408.5, Utah Code Annotated 1953
             24      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             25          Section 1. Section 10-2-401 is amended to read:


             26           10-2-401. Definitions -- Property owner provisions.
             27          (1) As used in this part:
             28          (a) "Affected entity" means:
             29          (i) a county in whose unincorporated area the area proposed for annexation is located;
             30          (ii) an independent special district under Title 17A, Chapter 2, Independent Special
             31      Districts, whose boundaries include any part of an area proposed for annexation;
             32          (iii) a school district whose boundaries include any part of an area proposed for
             33      annexation; [and]
             34          (iv) a municipality whose boundaries are within ½ mile of an area proposed for
             35      annexation[.]; and
             36          (v) a community council whose boundaries include any part of an area proposed for
             37      annexation.
             38          (b) "Annexation petition" means a petition under Section 10-2-403 proposing the
             39      annexation to a municipality of a contiguous, unincorporated area that is contiguous to the
             40      municipality.
             41          (c) "Commission" means a boundary commission established under Section 10-2-409 for
             42      the county in which the property that is proposed for annexation is located.
             43          (d) (i) "Expansion area" means:
             44          (A) for a municipality in a specified county, the unincorporated area that is identified in
             45      an annexation policy plan under Section 10-2-401.5 as the area that the municipality anticipates
             46      annexing in the future[.]; or
             47          (B) for a municipality in a county of the first class, the unincorporated area that is
             48      identified as that municipality's expansion area on the official map presented by each county of the
             49      first class to the Legislative Management Committee in accordance with the provisions of HB 155
             50      (2001 General Session) in an official meeting of the Legislative Management Committee on or
             51      before March 31, 2002.
             52          (ii) Expansion areas of municipalities within the same county of the first class may overlap
             53      with each other.
             54          (e) "Feasibility consultant" means a person or firm with expertise in the processes and
             55      economics of local government.
             56          (f) "Municipal selection committee" means a committee in each county composed of the


             57      mayor of each municipality within that county.
             58          (g) "Private," with respect to real property, means not owned by the United States or any
             59      agency of the federal government, the state, a county, a municipality, a school district, a special
             60      district under Title 17A, Special Districts, or any other political subdivision or governmental entity
             61      of the state.
             62          (h) "Specified county" means a county of the second, third, fourth, fifth, or sixth class.
             63          (i) "Urban development" means:
             64          (i) a housing development with more than 15 residential units and an average density
             65      greater than one residential unit per acre; or
             66          (ii) a commercial or industrial development for which cost projections exceed $750,000
             67      for all phases.
             68          (2) For purposes of this part:
             69          (a) the owner of real property shall be the record title owner according to the records of
             70      the county recorder on the date of the filing of the petition or protest; and
             71          (b) the value of private real property shall be determined according to the last assessment
             72      roll for county taxes before the filing of the petition or protest.
             73          (3) For purposes of each provision of this part that requires the owners of private real
             74      property covering a percentage or majority of the total private land area within an area to sign a
             75      petition or protest:
             76          (a) a parcel of real property may not be included in the calculation of the required
             77      percentage or majority unless the petition or protest is signed by:
             78          (i) except as provided in Subsection (3)(a)(ii), owners representing a majority ownership
             79      interest in that parcel; or
             80          (ii) if the parcel is owned by joint tenants or tenants by the entirety, 50% of the number
             81      of owners of that parcel;
             82          (b) the signature of a person signing a petition or protest in a representative capacity on
             83      behalf of an owner is invalid unless:
             84          (i) the person's representative capacity and the name of the owner the person represents
             85      are indicated on the petition or protest with the person's signature; and
             86          (ii) the person provides documentation accompanying the petition or protest that
             87      substantiates the person's representative capacity; and


             88          (c) subject to Subsection (3)(b), a duly appointed personal representative may sign a
             89      petition or protest on behalf of a deceased owner.
             90          Section 2. Section 10-2-405 is amended to read:
             91           10-2-405. Acceptance or rejection of an annexation petition -- Modified petition.
             92          (1) (a) (i) (A) A municipal legislative body may:
             93          (I) except as provided in Subsection (1)(b) and subject to Subsection (1)(a)(i)(B), deny a
             94      petition filed under Section 10-2-403 ; or
             95          (II) accept the petition for further consideration under this part.
             96          (B) A municipal legislative body's failure to act to deny or accept a petition under
             97      Subsection (1)(a)(i)(A) within 14 days after the filing of the petition shall be considered to be an
             98      acceptance of the petition for further consideration under this part.
             99          (ii) If a municipal legislative body denies a petition under Subsection (1)(a)(i)(A), it shall,
             100      within five days of the denial, mail written notice of the denial to the contact sponsor, the clerk of
             101      the county in which the area proposed for annexation is located, and the chair of the planning
             102      commission of each township in which any part of the area proposed for annexation is located.
             103          (b) A municipal legislative body may not deny a petition filed under Section 10-2-403
             104      proposing to annex an area located in a county of the first class if:
             105          (i) the petition contains the signatures of the owners of private real property that:
             106          (A) is located within the area proposed for annexation;
             107          (B) covers a majority of the private land area within the area proposed for annexation; and
             108          (C) is equal in value to at least ½ of the value of all private real property within the area
             109      proposed for annexation;
             110          (ii) the population in the area proposed for annexation does not exceed 10% of the
             111      population of the proposed annexing municipality;
             112          (iii) the property tax rate for municipal services in the area proposed to be annexed is
             113      higher than the property tax rate of the proposed annexing municipality; [and]
             114          (iv) all annexations by the proposed annexing municipality during the year that the petition
             115      was filed have not increased the municipality's population by more than 20%[.]; and
             116          (v) for petitions filed on or after May 6, 2002, the area proposed for annexation is within
             117      the municipality's expansion area.
             118          (2) If the municipal legislative body accepts a petition under Subsection (1)(a)(i) (A) or


             119      is considered to have accepted the petition under Subsection (1)(a)(i)(B), the city recorder or town
             120      clerk, as the case may be, shall, within 30 days of that acceptance:
             121          (a) with the assistance of the municipal attorney and of the clerk, surveyor, and recorder
             122      of the county in which the area proposed for annexation is located, determine whether the petition
             123      meets the requirements of Subsections 10-2-403 (2), (3), and (4); and
             124          (b) (i) if the city recorder or town clerk determines that the petition meets those
             125      requirements, certify the petition and mail or deliver written notification of the certification to the
             126      municipal legislative body, the contact sponsor, the county legislative body, and the chair of the
             127      planning commission of each township in which any part of the area proposed for annexation is
             128      located; or
             129          (ii) if the city recorder or town clerk determines that the petition fails to meet any of those
             130      requirements, reject the petition and mail or deliver written notification of the rejection and the
             131      reasons for the rejection to the municipal legislative body, the contact sponsor, the county
             132      legislative body, and the chair of the planning commission of each township in which any part of
             133      the area proposed for annexation is located.
             134          (3) (a) (i) If the city recorder or town clerk rejects a petition under Subsection (2)(b)(ii),
             135      the petition may be modified to correct the deficiencies for which it was rejected and then refiled
             136      with the city recorder or town clerk, as the case may be.
             137          (ii) A signature on an annexation petition filed under Section 10-2-403 may be used
             138      toward fulfilling the signature requirement of Subsection 10-2-403 (2)(b) for the petition as
             139      modified under Subsection (3)(a)(i).
             140          (b) If a petition is refiled under Subsection (3)(a) after having been rejected by the city
             141      recorder or town clerk under Subsection (2)(b)(ii), the refiled petition shall be treated as a newly
             142      filed petition under Subsection 10-2-403 (1).
             143          (4) Each county clerk, surveyor, and recorder shall cooperate with and assist a city recorder
             144      or town clerk in the determination under Subsection (2)(a).
             145          Section 3. Section 10-2-407 is amended to read:
             146           10-2-407. Protest to annexation petition -- Township planning commission
             147      recommendation -- Petition requirements -- Disposition of petition if no protest filed.
             148          (1) (a) A protest to an annexation petition under Section 10-2-403 may be filed by:
             149          (i) the legislative body or governing board of an affected entity; or


             150          (ii) for a proposed annexation of an area within a county of the first class, the owners of
             151      private real property that:
             152          (A) is located in the unincorporated area within ½ mile of the area proposed for
             153      annexation;
             154          (B) covers at least 25% of the private land area located in the unincorporated area within
             155      ½ mile of the area proposed for annexation; and
             156          (C) is equal in value to at least 15% of all real property located in the unincorporated area
             157      within ½ mile of the area proposed for annexation.
             158          (b) (i) A planning commission of a township located in a county of the first class may
             159      recommend to the legislative body of the county in which the township is located that the county
             160      legislative body file a protest against a proposed annexation under this part of an area located
             161      within the township.
             162          (ii) (A) The township planning commission shall communicate each recommendation
             163      under Subsection (1)(b)(i) in writing to the county legislative body within 30 days of the city
             164      recorder or town clerk's certification of the annexation petition under Subsection 10-2-405 (2)(b)(i).
             165          (B) At the time the recommendation is communicated to the county legislative body under
             166      Subsection (1)(b)(ii)(A), the township planning commission shall mail or deliver a copy of the
             167      recommendation to the legislative body of the proposed annexing municipality and to the contact
             168      sponsor.
             169          (c) Notwithstanding the provisions of Subsection (1)(a), a protest to a petition for
             170      annexation may not be filed under this section if the petition for annexation meets the requirements
             171      of Subsection 10-2-405 (1)(b).
             172          (2) (a) Each protest under Subsection (1)(a) shall:
             173          (i) be filed:
             174          (A) no later than [30] 60 days after the municipal legislative body's receipt of the notice of
             175      certification under Subsection 10-2-405 (2)(b)(i); and
             176          (B) (I) in a county that has already created a commission under Section 10-2-409 , with the
             177      commission; or
             178          (II) in a county that has not yet created a commission under Section 10-2-409 , with the
             179      clerk of the county in which the area proposed for annexation is located; and
             180          (ii) state each reason for the protest of the annexation petition and, if the area proposed to


             181      be annexed is located in a specified county, justification for the protest under the standards
             182      established in this chapter;
             183          (iii) if the area proposed to be annexed is located in a specified county, contain other
             184      information that the commission by rule requires or that the party filing the protest considers
             185      pertinent; and
             186          (iv) the name and address of a contact person who is to receive notices sent by the
             187      commission with respect to the protest proceedings.
             188          (b) The party filing a protest under this section shall on the same date deliver or mail a
             189      copy of the protest to the city recorder or town clerk of the proposed annexing municipality.
             190          (c) Each clerk who receives a protest under Subsection (2)(a)(i)(B)(II) shall immediately
             191      notify the county legislative body of the protest and shall deliver the protest to the boundary
             192      commission within five days of its creation under Subsection 10-2-409 (1)(b).
             193          (d) Each protest of a proposed annexation of an area located in a county of the first class
             194      under Subsection (1)(a)(ii) shall, in addition to the requirements of Subsections (2)(a) and (b):
             195          (i) indicate the typed or printed name and current residence address of each owner signing
             196      the protest; and
             197          (ii) designate one of the signers of the protest as the contact person and state the mailing
             198      address of the contact person.
             199          (3) (a) (i) If a protest is filed under this section:
             200          (A) the municipal legislative body may, at its next regular meeting after expiration of the
             201      deadline under Subsection (2)(a)(i)(A) and, for a proposed annexation of an area located in a
             202      county of the first class, except as provided in Subsection (3)(a)(iii), deny the annexation petition;
             203      or
             204          (B) if the municipal legislative body does not deny the annexation petition under
             205      Subsection (3)(a)(i)(A), the municipal legislative body may take no further action on the
             206      annexation petition until after receipt of the commission's notice of its decision on the protest
             207      under Section 10-2-416 .
             208          (ii) If a municipal legislative body denies an annexation petition under Subsection
             209      (3)(a)(i)(A), the municipal legislative body shall, within five days of the denial, send notice of the
             210      denial in writing to:
             211          (A) the contact sponsor of the annexation petition;


             212          (B) the commission;
             213          (C) each entity that filed a protest; and
             214          (D) if a protest was filed under Subsection (1)(a)(ii) for a proposed annexation of an area
             215      located in a county of the first class, the contact person.
             216          (iii) A municipal legislative body may not deny an annexation petition proposing to annex
             217      an area located in a county of the first class if:
             218          (A) the petition contains the signatures of the owners of private real property that:
             219          (I) is located within the area proposed for annexation;
             220          (II) covers a majority of the private land area within the area proposed for annexation; and
             221          (III) is equal in value to at least ½ of the value of all private real property within the area
             222      proposed for annexation;
             223          (B) the population in the area proposed for annexation does not exceed 10% of the
             224      population of the proposed annexing municipality;
             225          (C) the property tax rate for municipal services in the area proposed to be annexed is
             226      higher than the property tax rate of the proposed annexing municipality; [and]
             227          (D) all annexations by the proposed annexing municipality during the year that the petition
             228      was filed have not increased the municipality's population by more than 20%[.]; and
             229          (E) for petitions filed on or after May 6, 2002, the area proposed for annexation is within
             230      the municipality's expansion area.
             231          (b) (i) If no timely protest is filed under this section, the municipal legislative body may,
             232      subject to Subsection (3)(b)(ii), and unless the annexation petition has been denied under
             233      Subsection 10-2-407.5 (3)(b), grant the petition and, by ordinance, annex the area that is the subject
             234      of the annexation petition.
             235          (ii) Before granting an annexation petition under Subsection (3)(b)(i), the municipal
             236      legislative body shall:
             237          (A) hold a public hearing; and
             238          (B) at least seven days before the public hearing under Subsection (3)(b)(ii)(A):
             239          (I) publish notice of the hearing in a newspaper of general circulation within the
             240      municipality and the area proposed for annexation; or
             241          (II) if there is no newspaper of general circulation in those areas, post written notices of
             242      the hearing in conspicuous places within those areas that are most likely to give notice to residents


             243      within those areas.
             244          Section 4. Section 10-2-407.5 is enacted to read:
             245          10-2-407.5. County review and approval of annexation.
             246          (1) Upon receipt of an annexation petition within a county of the first class, the county
             247      clerk shall forward the petition to the county legislative body for its review.
             248          (2) The county legislative body in a county of the first class shall review the proposed
             249      annexation and shall include in its review:
             250          (a) the impact of the proposed annexation on the municipal services in the remaining
             251      unincorporated areas of the county and the impact on the municipal services fund;
             252          (b) the interests of the citizens in the remaining nearby unincorporated areas of the county
             253      who are not included in the area proposed to be annexed;
             254          (c) the present and five-year projections of the cost of governmental services in the area
             255      proposed for annexation; and
             256          (d) the present and five-year projected revenue to the proposed annexing municipality from
             257      the area proposed for annexation.
             258          (3) After a review under Subsection (2), the county legislative body in a county of the first
             259      class may:
             260          (a) approve the petition for further action, review, and consideration by the municipality
             261      under the provisions of this part;
             262          (b) if the county legislative body determines that there are legal defects in the petition or
             263      that the average annual amount under Subsection (2)(d) exceeds that average annual amount under
             264      Subsection (2)(c), deny the proposed annexation, in which case no further action shall be taken on
             265      the petition; or
             266          (c) file a protest to the annexation petition in accordance with the provisions of Section
             267      10-2-407 .
             268          (4) If the county legislative body fails to act on the annexation petition under Subsection
             269      (3) within 60 days after receiving the petition from the county clerk, the petition shall be
             270      considered to have been approved by the county for further action, review, and consideration by
             271      the municipality under the provisions of this part.
             272          (5) In making the calculation required by Subsection (3)(b):
             273          (a) for annexation petitions filed or refiled on or after January 1, 2002 and on or before


             274      May 6, 2002, the county legislative body shall aggregate the area of the proposed annexation and
             275      the area included in all other annexation petitions filed or refiled on or after January 1, 2002 and
             276      on or before May 6, 2002 with the same municipality; and
             277          (b) for annexation petitions filed after May 6, 2002, the county legislative body may
             278      aggregate the area of the proposed annexation and the area included in any other annexation
             279      petition which is simultaneously under consideration by the same municipality.
             280          (6) If the county legislative body in a county of the first class denies the proposed
             281      annexation under Subsection (3)(b), it shall make written findings outlining the reasons for its
             282      denial.
             283          (7) Any party in interest may seek judicial review of a decision by a county to deny an
             284      annexation petition under Subsection (3)(b) by filing an action in an appropriate district court
             285      within 30 days of the date of the written decision of the county. A court in which an action is filed
             286      under this Subsection (7) may not overturn the decision of the county unless the court finds that:
             287          (a) the county legislative body acted arbitrarily or capriciously; or
             288          (b) the county legislative body materially failed to follow the procedures set forth in this
             289      section.
             290          (8) If a court, under the provisions of Subsection (7), overturns the decision of the county
             291      legislative body, the court may award costs and reasonable attorney's fees to the prevailing party.
             292          Section 5. Section 10-2-408 is amended to read:
             293           10-2-408. Denial of or granting the annexation petition.
             294          (1) After receipt of the commission's decision on a protest under Subsection 10-2-416 (2),
             295      a municipal legislative body may:
             296          (a) except as provided in Subsection (2) for a proposed annexation of an area located in
             297      a county of the first class, deny the annexation petition; or
             298          (b) if the commission approves the annexation, and unless the annexation petition has been
             299      denied under Subsection 10-2-407.5 (3)(b), grant the annexation petition and, by ordinance and
             300      consistent with the commission's decision, annex the area that is the subject of the annexation
             301      petition.
             302          (2) A municipal legislative body may not deny an annexation petition proposing to annex
             303      an area located in a county of the first class if:
             304          (a) the petition contains the signatures of the owners of private real property that:


             305          (i) is located within the area proposed for annexation;
             306          (ii) covers a majority of the private land area within the area proposed for annexation; and
             307          (iii) is equal in value to at least ½ of the value of all private real property within the area
             308      proposed for annexation;
             309          (b) the population in the area proposed for annexation does not exceed 10% of the
             310      population of the proposed annexing municipality;
             311          (c) the property tax rate for municipal services in the area proposed to be annexed is higher
             312      than the property tax rate of the proposed annexing municipality; [and]
             313          (d) all annexations by the proposed annexing municipality during the year that the petition
             314      was filed have not increased the municipality's population by more than 20%[.]; and
             315          (e) the area proposed for annexation is within the municipality's expansion area.
             316          Section 6. Section 10-2-408.5 is enacted to read:
             317          10-2-408.5. Effective date of annexation.
             318          In counties of the first class, in order to permit counties and municipalities to adequately
             319      fund and budget for the providing of municipal services, a municipal annexation shall be
             320      considered effective on the next December 31st or June 30th which is at least 60 days from the
             321      date on which final approval of the annexation petition is granted.
             322          Section 7. Section 10-2-416 is amended to read:
             323           10-2-416. Commission decision -- Time limit -- Limitation on approval of annexation.
             324          (1) Subject to Subsection (3), after the public hearing under Subsection 10-2-415 (1) the
             325      boundary commission may:
             326          (a) approve the proposed annexation, either with or without conditions;
             327          (b) make minor modifications to the proposed annexation and approve it, either with or
             328      without conditions; or
             329          (c) disapprove the proposed annexation.
             330          (2) The commission shall issue a written decision on the proposed annexation within 30
             331      days after the conclusion of the hearing under Section 10-2-415 and shall send a copy of the
             332      decision to:
             333          (a) the legislative body of the county in which the area proposed for annexation is located;
             334          (b) the legislative body of the proposed annexing municipality;
             335          (c) the contact person on the annexation petition;


             336          (d) the contact person of each entity that filed a protest; and
             337          (e) if a protest was filed under Subsection 10-2-407 (1)(a)(ii) with respect to a proposed
             338      annexation of an area located in a county of the first class, the contact person designated in the
             339      protest.
             340          (3) Except for an annexation for which a feasibility study may not be required under
             341      Subsection 10-2-413 (1)(b), the commission may not approve a proposed annexation of an area
             342      located within a county of the first class unless the results of the feasibility study under Section
             343      10-2-413 show that the average annual amount under Subsection 10-2-413 (3)(a)(ix) does not
             344      exceed the average annual amount under Subsection 10-2-413 (3)(a)(viii) [by more than 5%].


[Bill Documents][Bills Directory]