Two more portions of land will become part of the City of Lubbock, after City Council voted in favor of the annexation ordinance on Thursday evening.
The Council made a few amendments to the original plans, however, before those ordinances passed.
The annexation of Section “F”, off of N. Frankford failed at the last meeting, but a motion was made for reconsideration. At the May 10 meeting, this portion of land passed, but with an amendment. Mayor Pro Tem Latrelle Joy moved to amend the ordinance to leave out an area of homes off of N Genoa Avenue that is “fully developed and maintained.”
“It’s logical that they would just remain in tact, outside the city limits,” Joy said. “It’s different to me because they are not businesses.”
She said, it was what those residents wanted, but it comes with pro’s and con’s.
“They will have no city services. They will have to rely on their own water, and their street will have to be maintained. They are just accepting that,” Joy said. “They will be surrounded by the city as a result of this vote. Something could come along to the North, South, East and West, and they wont have any say.”
The amendment passed, meaning those residents will not become a part of the city of Lubbock.
The annexation of Section “H” off of Interstate 27 near the airport passed with some additional amendments, as well.
Mayor Pro Tem Joy said “carve-outs” happen for various reasons during the annexation process.
“I think that was a compromise that some of the council members felt should be made,” Joy said.
All this comes after a lawsuit was filed against the city by some county residents to stop the annexation process all together. One of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit, Jeff Kirk, attended the meeting on Thursday. He said, the vote may be final, but they are still going to petition they city to reverse it.
“It’s not over by any means,” Jeff Kirk said. “It just brings closure and gives us the opportunity to file our petitions.”
Joy said the city cannot comment on pending litigation, but in regards to the annexation process she believes they got a good result.
“I have not had one developer contact me and say, ‘Hey I want you to do this.’ This is really about managing the city’s growth,” Joy said. “That’s really what it is about.”
