Kanab, Utah Ordinance

In accordance with the provision of 10-2-4-, Utah Code Annotated, all municipalities within the State, except Salt Lake County, are required to adopt an Annexation Policy Plan.  The cities are required to develop an "expansion area" map and/or plan for the future growth of the community for the next 20 years.  The annexation area plan shall incorporate the long range planning objectives contained in the general plan of the community and shall represent a graphic illustration/representation of the areas that the city intends to provide service to within the 20-year period.

The Annexation Policy Plan is created by the City to guide decision making regarding future annexations.  It also helps the City plan for future expansion in conjunction with neighboring political entites.  Open communication and coordination, between the City and other political entities, particularly the County, is a priority in the process of developing the Annexation Policy Plan.

EXPANSION AREA MAP

20-Year Growth Boundary

The City shall adopt and maintain an expansion area map that represents the 20-year growth boundary which includes territories outside, but adjacent to, the community that may be annexed into the City.  This map is consistent with the Kanab City Future Land Use Map.  These areas are not bordered by another municipality.  Even though the proposed properties may lie within the expansion area, there is no guarantee that the annexation request will be approved by the City.  The petition for annexation may require additional requirements than those contained in the current Annexation Policy Plan.

Areas to be annexed must be contiguous to the corporate limits of Kanab City at the time of submission of the annexation request.

Kanab City shall avoid gaps between or overlaps with the expansion areas of other municipalities.

Proposed annexations will not be approve if they create an island or peninsula, as described in the State Code, of the unincorporated area.

View the Annexation Map

ANNEXATON POLICY

The following is a statement of the criteria Kanab City will use in determining whether or not to approve future annexation proposals.

1. CHARACTER OF THE COMMUNITY

Kanab is a beautiful small town surrounded by striking vermillion cliffs. It is centrally located at the hub of four major national parks: The North Rim of the Grand Canyon to the South; Bryce National Park about 70 miles to the North; Zion National Park to the West about 40 miles and Lake Powell Recreation Area is 70 miles to the East.

Recently Kanab City has experienced unprecedented residential development. Several medium and large scale subdivisions are on the horizon. Kanab's growth is mainly due to the influx of retirees. Growth and tourism have created a demand for additional service type businesses with a limited work force. Kanab City officials recognize the need and demand for affordable housing to accommodate an adequate employee base.

Kanab has a large area within its city limits that is undeveloped. However, during recent years, significant development has taken place in the County to the east of Kanab extending to Johnson Canyon. There is a high possibility of annexation of county developed lands before the build out of existing city lands. Kanab City Planning and Zoning and the City Council recognize a need for compatible development in this area. It is very important that Kanab City policies related to growth and annexation support the Kanab City General Plan, Land Use Ordinance and ensure a balanced tax base. Diversification of commercial, industrial, and residential uses is essential for future development.

Kanab City's development patterns are somewhat unique to other areas in Kane County. The Kane County water Conservancy District has developed and continues to develop water in the Johnson Canyon area to meet current and future needs of growth. It is very important that Kanab City take a long—range view, at least 20 years if not longer, at the potential for expansion. The possibility of annexation of developable areas outside Kanab City limits is very likely during this time period. At the same time, it needs to be in areas the City can efficiently extend municipal services. It is vital that costs associated with growth do not place a higher tax burden on local residents.

Kanab City has adopted City Plans for future development in those extraterritorial areas of interest for future annexation as indicated in this Policy Plan. These City Plans define proposed land uses as well as the nature and density of development desired in each particular area. Any proposed development in an area to be annexed must be consistent with the City Plans and Code notwithstanding the said City Plans may be amended from time to time as deemed necessary and appropriate.

PLANNING AND ZONING COMMISSION TO REVIEW ANNEXATION

In order to facilitate orderly growth and development in Kanab City, the Planning Commission shall review all proposed annexations and make recommendations to the City Council as set forth in the State Statute.

ANNEXATION To BE CONSIDERED ONLY IN AREAS OF POTENTIAL URBAN SERVICE

Kanab City's policy is to consider annexation only in those areas where the City has the potential to provide urban service (either directly or through inter—local cooperative agreement) These areas may include locations served or to be served by urban services.

ISLANDS AND PENINSULAS OF UNINCORPORATED AREAS TO BE ANNEXED

Kanab City encourages islands and peninsulas to become annexed to Kanab City. As provided for by State Code, Kanab City may consider providing services for up to one year. Kanab City may, upon the initiative of the City Council and without receipt of a petition therefore, extend its corporate boundaries to include such territory, notwithstanding filing of a written protest for such annexation as provided by law. It is the intent of Kanab City to exercise their initiative in this regard.

II. MUNICIPAL SERVICES IN UNDERDEVELOPED AND UNINCORPORATED AREAS

In the past, Kanab City has had limited extension of urban services in the unincorporated areas. A fundamental policy is that if someone desires urban services, they should be annexed into the City. In most of the residential areas, urban services have been extended. In the commercial areas along Highway, there has been a limited amount of municipal services provided. Full service needs to eventually be extended as the areas further develop.

POLICY STATEMENT:

IMPROVEMENT DISTRICT BOUNDARIES

Where feasible, the City favors annexation along the boundaries of water and sewer improvements or special service districts and may include portions of or all of said districts.

III. PLAN FOR EXTENSION OF MUNICIPAL SERVICES

HIGH QUALITY MUNICIPAL SERVICE TO BE PROVIDED

It is the policy of Kanab City to extend a high quality of municipal services delivered efficiently throughout the City, including areas of annexation. Further, the City promotes the equitable distribution of community resources and obligations. Such services may be provided directly by Kanab City, through interlocal cooperative service agreements, or through creation of such special improvement districts as determined by Kanab City to be in the best public interest of its citizens.

POLICY STATEMENT:

COMPLIANCE WITH STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS

It is the policy of Kanab City to require development in annexed areas to comply with City standards and regulatory laws. This includes the City's Building Code, subdivision and Zoning Ordinance, and Construction Standards for street width, curbs, gutter, sidewalks, street lighting, road signs, and other utilities/infrastructure.

AVOID ENVIRONMENTALLY SENSITVE AREAS

It is the policy of the City to avoid development of wetlands, hillsides, critical environmental habitat areas, expansive soils, or any other environmental conditions that threaten the integrity of the City infrastructure unless, in the annexation agreement, the developer can show how they will mitigate these issues in conformance with the City Ordinances, Code and Federal and State Regulations.

IV. FINANCING SERVICES:

It has been a fundamental policy of the City that developments finance their extension of municipal services. Impact fees derived from the development may fill some of the gaps in providing services to the developed areas; but development within expanded areas must be the primary responsibility of the developer or property owner.

Where feasible, the City favors annexation along the boundaries of water and sewer improvements or special service districts and may include portions of or all of said districts.

ANNEXATION AGREEMENT

An annexation agreement, which will be recorded, will be prepared between the City and property owners outlining specific circumstances relating to water, sewer, and streets, and other specific improvements after review by the Planning Commission, and prior to final annexation approval by the City Council.

Water rights of the type and quantity acceptable to Kanab City that can be utilized for underground water rights, culinary, secondary, shall be required to be conveyed to Kanab City as a condition of development, subdivision approval, or issuance of a building permit on property annexed into the Kanab City limits.

It is the intent that land annexed to Kanab City be accompanied by water rights sufficient to accommodate the needs of the existing and potential occupants of said land when development occurs. The water rights conveyance requirements of developments shall be in addition to any requirement that may be imposed upon development of land after annexation and in addition to appropriate Kanab City impact fees.

Water requirements, as referenced by the previous paragraphs, will be established on a case by case basis utilizing, among other things, Division of Drinking Water Standards. Specific requirements will be contained in the annexation agreement; but the general guideline of one (1) acre foot of water per residential building permit will be a minimum standard.