The city limits of Cambridge could get a little bigger.
During the Cambridge City Council meeting Oct. 17, the council approved an ordinance annexing nearly 30 acres of land located in Isanti Township pursuant to Minnesota Statute permitting annexation by ordinance.
The 32 parcels, totaling 28.19 acres, includes Christ the King Catholic Church Cemetery, as well as residential and commercial-industrial properties located along Main Street South, 19th Avenue Northeast, Baltimore Street Northeast, Main Street Northeast, 320th Lane Northeast and 16th Avenue Southeast.
City Administrator Lynda Woulfe explained the parcels are portions of Isanti Township that are surrounded by the city of Cambridge. She said the annexation stems from the council’s long-range planning meeting on Nov. 16, 2015, where the council discussed the benefits of city services these properties already receive due to being completely surrounded by the city of Cambridge.
Woulfe explained now that the city ordinance is adopted, the issue goes to the Municipal Boundary Adjustment Board, which needs to rule on it, approve it and determine if it meets the criteria for the annexation and the statute.
During the public hearing, the council was presented with a petition signed by 24 property owners against the annexation.
Council Member Howard Lewis cast the sole dissenting vote against the annexation.
“In the state of Minnesota this is called a hostile annexation because the people do not want to be annexed,” Lewis said. “When this topic first came up a number of years ago, I said we have to create a city of value so that people will want to come to the city.”
Many property owners questioned the reasoning for the annexation.
“The main reason for the annexation is that these properties are completely surrounded by the city and are receiving city services,” Council Member Joe Morin explained. “We represent the citizens of Cambridge and this makes the most sense.”
Mayor Marlys Palmer described the properties as “pockets” surrounded by properties already located in the city limits.
“You are not citizens of the city, but you are surrounded by people paying higher taxes than what you are paying, and you probably had, really, a break with that for a number of years,” Palmer said.
City Attorney Jay Squires explained annexation by ordinance is allowed under statute for completely surrounded areas of property, and where the areas are already urban or suburban in character. He explained benefits to property owners include general government services such as police, fire, economic development, election administration, land use development, streets and roads, etc.
“It’s fair to share in the general burden of the general cost of city services,” Squires said.
According to information provided by the Isanti County Auditor-Treasurer’s Office, the cemetery is a tax exempt property. Of the remaining 31 parcels, the estimated 2016 city taxes are $35,898. Under the 2016 township taxes, the taxes are $10,616. Woulfe noted the city’s tax rate would apply to the annexed parcels beginning with taxes payable in 2018.
Some of the property owners had questions regarding hooking up to city water and sewer.
Woulfe explained property owners will only be required to hook up to city water and sewer when and if their septic system or well fails, and city water and sewer is available for hook up. She said no new septic systems or wells will be able to be installed in the area if it can be served by city water and sewer.
She explained if a property owner’s septic system or well fails before city services are available to their property, the property owner will be allowed to repair their well or sewer.
Damon Patrick, who lives along 16th Avenue Northeast, explained that when property owners gave up their property for the city to acquire right of way along 16th Avenue in 2011, property owners thought that was it, and they would not be annexed into the city.
“If we are annexed, will we be compensated for giving up our property in 2011 or never be charged special assessments for upgrades to the roads?” Patrick asked. “I don’t see any benefits to being a part of the city other than my taxes going up.”
Woulfe said discussion on compensation for residents who freely gave up right of way in 2011, or the waiving of special assessments for possible 16th Avenue street improvements, would have to be a council policy discussion at a later date.