What is Annexation?
Annexation is the methodical extension of a city's boundaries into
adjacent unincorporated areas, and the corresponding extension of that
city's services to the areas encompassed by the new boundaries. In North
Carolina, annexation is governed by state statutes that allow cities and
towns to annex adjacent areas, once those areas contain certain urban
development characteristics (population density, subdivision of land
into smaller lots, development intensity). Annexation has enabled
Charlotte's land area to more than double since 1980, reaching about 303
square miles as of January 1, 2012.
The City of Charlotte has had a policy of systematically undertaking
annexation every two years, culminating with an effective annexation
date of June 30th of the odd-numbered years. The City last completed an
annexation that became effective on June 30, 2011. An area can qualify
for annexation if it meets the prerequisites and one or more of the
standards contained in the State annexation statutes.
2011 ANNEXATION PROCESS SUMMARY
The most recent (2011) annexation process began in mid-2009 with the
identification of "annexation study areas", consisting of unincorporated
areas in Mecklenburg County and within Charlotte's extraterritorial
jurisdiction that demonstrate relatively high rates of change as
documented by indicators such as issuance of building permits, approvals
of subdivisions, and high rezoning petition activity. These
characteristics generally indicate areas that might soon qualify for
annexation and are therefore worthy of further study. It is within these
areas that annexation analyses were conducted early in 2010 for the 2011
annexation process.
The following measures were taken as part of the 2011 annexation
process:
June 8, 2009
City Council adopted Resolution of Consideration, establishing 2011
annexation study areas.
January, 2010
Annexation study area field work was undertaken in order to
preliminarily determine areas that might qualify for annexation.
February – June 2010
Annexation qualifying areas were determined, and "service plans"
developed for the qualifying areas that include identification of budget
impacts (costs of service extensions and potential revenue implications)
for each qualifying area. The service plans were integrated into
Annexation Reports that described each qualifying area and the manner in
which it qualified under the state annexation statutes. A total of three
areas (encompassing about 3.8 square miles) were identified that
qualified for 2011 annexation
June 14, 2010
A Preliminary Annexation Report was presented to City Council, which
then adopted the Annexation Reports and "Resolutions of Intent", which
scheduled the public informational meeting and public hearing on
annexation qualifying areas.
August 5, 2010
A public informational meeting was held for property owners affected by
annexations.
August 23, 2010
City Council conducted annexation public hearings for the 2011
annexation qualifying areas.
November 8, 2010
City Council adopted annexation ordinances for the 2011 annexation
qualifying areas, representing final City Council action on the 2011
annexations.
March, 2011
Notification/information packets were mailed to property owners affected
by the approved annexations.
June 30, 2011
Effective annexation date – City services extended to 2011 annexation
areas.
Updated January 17, 2012