74 replies to this topic

[Spartan]

Votes were in favor of the annexation 6-1. Interestingly, the one councilmember who voted against it wasn't really against annexation, just the fact that the laws are so antiquated. He said that the laws should be changes to reflect NC's laws. Interestingly, Doug Smith, our former representative in Columbia, was the sponsor of the bill to update the annexation laws (which is dead in committee as far as I know).

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[Spartan]

The Hillbrook annexations are final. The west side parcels will be finalized next month.

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[Spartan]

Some Hillbrook residents are contesting the annexation.  I dont think it will go anywhere, because the annexation agreements are tied to the parcel and not the owner. If the realtor didn't make you aware of the agreement then that's their fault.

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[Sparkleman]

Spartan, on Oct 13 2009, 10:14 AM, said:

Some Hillbrook residents are contesting the annexation. I dont think it will go anywhere, because the annexation agreements are tied to the parcel and not the owner. If the realtor didn't make you aware of the agreement then that's their fault.

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It was beaten before about 15 years ago in Hillbrook and can be again. As Mr. Carruth says, if they were not informed of something that happened 25 years before why should they have to abide by it? Again, that's not due process.

I got one of these notices a month ago and I have never seen this agreement that was signed by the person who built my house some 30 years ago. It was presented to me by the city via mail about a month ago. I too plan to fight it although right now I am the only person on my street to get one which I find odd.

[Spartan]

I agree that the parcels they chose for annexation are very random. I'm not sure why they didn't go for more contiguous properties. Oh well.

[spartanburgh]

Tonights Council agenda will include a request by 7 residences in the Hillbrook area that were excluded from the proposed annexation by the City, but want to be annexed. Some of the 7 even hired a lawyer to make sure they get into the City limits. The article gives the addresses of all the requests. All are in the same general area but not contiguous to the other proposed annexation. Its funny how some have hired a lawyer to stay out of the City and others are hiring lawyers to get in.

[Spartan]

I used to hold Scott Talley in high regard. Of all people in Spartanburg, I would think he would be among the last to hold up the annexation process. I sincerely hope that we don't end up without an annexation before December 31st. He's now filed suit against the City indicating that the terms of the pending annexation are invalid. Ugh. Its a wonder Spartanburg manages to exist on a day to day basis.

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[roads-scholar]

Spartan, on 23 November 2009 - 09:29 AM, said:

I used to hold Scott Talley in high regard. Of all people in Spartanburg, I would think he would be among the last to hold up the annexation process. I sincerely hope that we don't end up without an annexation before December 31st. He's now filed suit against the City indicating that the terms of the pending annexation are invalid. Ugh. Its a wonder Spartanburg manages to exist on a day to day basis.

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C'mon Spartan - your "Its a wonder Spartanburg manages to exist on a day to day basis" comment is hopefully based on frustration rather than the way you really feel?

[Spartan]

It is. I've always stated that my long term goal is to someday come back to Spartanburg. I just want it to be better than when I left, and Talley is not helping this process. My comments towards him are my actual feelings. When he was in Columbia he supported things I supported- including reforming South Carolina's annexation laws- which is why this issue is so confounding. Any other lawyer and this case would be standard BS, and not above average.

[roads-scholar]

Spartan, on 23 November 2009 - 12:14 PM, said:

It is. I've always stated that my long term goal is to someday come back to Spartanburg. I just want it to be better than when I left, and Talley is not helping this process. My comments towards him are my actual feelings. When he was in Columbia he supported things I supported- including reforming South Carolina's annexation laws- which is why this issue is so confounding. Any other lawyer and this case would be standard BS, and not above average.

You must remember, Spartan, that Talley (I know him and his family and they're good people) "was" a politician and once a politician, always a politician. I'm sure he wants to keep his "good" name out there if the opportunity to run again presents itself.

[spartanburgh]

The City has a little fault here too. They knew these annexations were going to be pursued months ago and waited until the last minute to pull the trigger with no room for any problems. If they would have voted on the annexation before, then more time would have been available for a ruling on the annexations validity. I understand some of these agreements are from the 80's!!!!, why have they waited so long on so many annexation agreements. I am all in favor of all of these people getting annexed and I believe they will eventually, but next time they had better have a little better plan.

[Spartan]

they've had an annexation plan for at least 4 years. I'm blaming it on council for not starting the process soon enough.

[Spartan]

The City Council voted to proceed with the east side annexation, though one person is threatening to sue. It doesn't make any difference though, because I think those annexation agreements are solid. That's just my opinion.

I think that it's unfortunate that the west side annexation can't go through before January. This will dramatically reduce the potential increase in population and proportion of funding the city receives from the state. But after further reading (in the previously posted article), it sounds like their might be some actual issues with services rather than just opposition based on principle.

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[Sparkleman]

It still sucks for those that will have to pay to have sewer lines installed so they can tap onto the city sewer.

[Spartan]

The Hillbrook annexations went through. About 40 new parcels have been added to the city. The westside annexations are still pending, I assume.

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