“Airport Annexation”
January 1997
 

Journal Article 

by councilmember Dave Romero

One of the most important issues ever faced by the city will be considered by the City Council in the near future . "Should the city annex the Airport Area?" This is so important to our City and our future well being, that I wish to devote this article to the subject.

The Airport Area contains 1700 acres, bounded on the north generally by the crest of the South St. hills, on the south generally by Buckley Road, on the west generally by Higuera St. and on the east generally by Edna Road. There are two sub-areas, a) the Margarita Development, which is planned primarily for residential, and b) the remaining Airport Area which includes many commercial, residential and industrial uses, much undeveloped land and the Airport itself. City and County planning processes have for many years considered that this area would eventually annex to the City. City General Plan Documents show this area to be a future part of the City. A majority of future City growth will take place in this area, therefore it is critical to our planning.

If the annexation has been planned for so many years, why not just get on with it? What's the problem?

• Some feel the annexation will be adverse to our "Quality of Life"
• Some see growth in any form as adverse.
• Some are concerned with City cost to build infrastructure and provide services to the area.
• Some feel that by preventing annexation, and with an inadequate infrastructure, the area will develop in a less dense manner, which they believe is desirable.

My answers to the concerns are as follows:

• I have observed the area develop for the past 40 years without adequate water or sewer systems, poor fire protection, poor drainage and road systems and sometimes poor on-site improvements. If it continues to develop as it has in the past, the area will not be properly served, will not be attractive, will not function as a high-quality industrial area, providing quality and high paying jobs. Though the area is in the county, it is still part of greater San Luis Obispo and reflects poorly on our Quality of Life. The only way to assure high quality is to annex, properly plan and control developments in the area.
• San Luis Obispo is a lovely place, and people will want to live here. If they could stay here, just our children alone would lead to growth. In the long run, California and regional growth forces will require expansion of city boundaries and services. What better area than this one which we've studied for so many years?
• In 1994, consultant Angus McDonald presented a report showing a surplus of revenues over expenditures of $560,000/yr if the area were annexed. The surplus would become even greater as the area develops. If the area had annexed 3 years ago we might now have over 1 1/2 million dollars for studies or improvements to the area. A new county tax sharing formula now reduces the amount gained and reduces the City share of sales tax. The longer the annexation is delayed, the city's share of sales tax revenue will be reduced.
• After the area is annexed, there will be major capital costs to install sewer, water, road and drainage improvements. Most of the cost can be financed by an assessment district against the area. City share of costs, if any, will be determined by the City Council in office at that time.
• The Board of Supervisors has stated they will permit formation of a service district to allow development of sewer and water, should the city refuse to annex the area. That would allow dense development of the area, but outside of city control, leaving us with many of the negative effects and none of the positive ones.

Progress on the airport Annexation has been stalled for several years because of a City Council requirement that the 400+ property owners fund a significant portion of a Specific Plan prior to annexation. After many years of taxing themselves for studies, with little to show for it, the property owners simply don't trust the city to follow through with the annexation after spending hundreds of thousands for more studies. A much simpler approach is to annex the area, because the area belongs in the city, then conduct the studies.

The Airport Annexation will be placed on a Council Agenda in mid to late February. The basic decision is "Do we want this area to develop in the City to city standards and with proper infrastructure, or in the County?"

A previous City Council, in their adoption of the General Plan, has said, "This area properly belongs in the City" Lets get on with it. I hope many SLO citizens will attend the meetings and express their opinions.