Snowflake Town Council Asked To Consider Annexation To The East

By Naomi Hatch
   Snowflake Town Manager Paul Watson led a discussion regarding possible annexation of land into the town limits last week, and some of the activities that would need to take place in order to annex property. He also discussed the pros and cons in pursuing an annexation.
   A map drafted by Planning and Zoning Administrator Dale Call was provided to council members showing the boundaries for annexation that would include the canyon east of Snowflake’s present town limits.
   Call explained that there are three sections of 640 acres each, with one section having 39 or 40 owners, one has a single owner and the other is state land.
   “Obviously, we want to look at all the pros and cons to weigh out the benefits of annexing property,” said Watson. “You look at annexation for several reasons. One is an inclusion of business district that will help you with your tax base. Sometimes its may be that there is a significant population, a fairly dense population in a small area, which helps you in the revenues itself. Third would be for some type of local control over land use.”
   Watson acknowledged that at this point no one has asked to be annexed.
   “The negative side of that you need to look at is, what are the services that will be needed when you annex,” the town manager noted. The Snowflake Fire Department provides service to the area, but law enforcement is provided by Navajo County, and the town does not provide water or sewer to those sections. He did not have an answer regarding the cost for increased services or if there would be an added cost.
   Mayor Kelly Willis noted that town officials had previously discussed annexing land west of Snowflake.
   “From a growth standpoint, I think that land would be a priority as far as new development,” said Watson. “I would think those are all things that you would want to consider.
   “I know one of the reasons this particular annexation was talked about is there is some interest in trying to develop the canyon from a tourist standpoint. It would be easier to develop if it was in the town instead of in the county, and again I don’t have all the answers for that,” said Watson.
   “I agree to the point it would certainly be nice to use the canyon, not only use it, but protect it. But we’re chewing off, taking a big bite,” said the mayor.
   Call commented that if this land was annexed, “it’s still private property, and we may or may not have access to hike down that property.” He suggested speaking with property owners before doing anything.
   “That’s being worked on. I can’t say more on it, but it’s being worked on,” said Councilman Jason Whiting.
   “This is something we can look at. It’s not a burning subject now,” said Watson.
   In other business Oct. 13, the council unanimously approved Resolution 09-524 authorizing Local Transportation Assistance Funds II to go to the Silver Creek Senior Citizen Center to pay for transportation needs of the center.
   Mayor Willis explained that the $9,653.52 grant requires $1,930.71, or a 25 percent match from the town. “We’ll be happy to do this,” he said.
   Previously Snowflake-Taylor Police Chief Jerry VanWinkle made a presentation to the council seeking an increase in the speed limit from 15 mph to 20 mph on streets adjacent to a public school. The council unanimously approved Ordinance 09-318 setting the new speed limit.