MF approves slimmed down 281 annexation

November 07, 2012, 10:20 am by Adam Troxtell

City council approved the annexation of land along the US 281 southern corridor into Marble Falls last night, but the amount of properties is significantly less after multiple development agreements were made to exclude land that is agriculturally exempt.

Councilman John Packer was the only dissenting vote in the 5-1 decision that extends Marble Falls’ border to TX 71 and across to the east side of US 281.

The total acreage of the annexation dropped from over 1,000 acres to just 474.49 after development agreements were approved excluding some landowners from annexation for a period of five years or until they move to develop their property. Most of the agreements were made with members of the Roper family who own a large portion of the planned annexation area. The agreements were made after a Sept. 22 deadline had passed, causing some property owners to question why they were not extended the same deal so late in the process.

"It doesn’t seem fair two-thirds of those who were to be annexed now won’t be annexed,” Dr. Tim Thompson, a local veterinarian who owns Hope Animal Clinic that sits south of Marble Falls along US 281, said. "I at least would have like a moratorium like the rest of the property owners got.”

Each development agreement was approved by council on the consent agenda Tuesday night in a 6-1 vote. Council member Jane Marie Hurst submitted the opposing vote.

For the full story, see Friday’s Highlander.

Reader Comments

Why does Marble Falls City Council get to vote and not the residents of Burnet County who may be affected now and in the future? Same with the hospital.
November 07, 2012, 2:43pm by Lee

There is a definite conflict of Interest with their voting. 6 to 1 vote for these development agreements even though one council member had to step down for the annexation vote.Those agreements have a direct tie to the annexation. CONFLICT of Interest.. Also I would have to question at least one of those agreements.. Did anyone check the real status of whether or not it truely qualifies as AG??.
November 07, 2012, 4:44pm by Roy