| Property owners may submit a petition for annexation for properties that are contiguous to the city limits and located inside the Urban Growth Boundary. These types of annexations are generally known as owner-initiated annexations. |
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| All annexations to the City of Salem require voter approval except annexations made pursuant to annexation contracts effective prior to May 16, 2000; annexations necessitated by failing septic systems or health hazards, or annexations mandated by state law. |
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| The steps for processing an owner-initiated annexation requiring voter approval are described as follows: |
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| a. |
Pre-application Conference. The first step in the annexation process is to request a pre-application conference. The purpose of the conference is to inform the applicant of the basic requirements of annexation. A pre-application conference must be requested two months prior to submitting an annexation application. The deadline for holding a pre-application conference for a November 4, 2008 election is October 25, 2007 for annexations with a comprehensive plan/zone change request and January 9, 2008 for annexations without a comprehensive plan/zone change request. Therefore, the request for a pre-application conference should be submitted 14 days prior to these deadlines. |
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| b. |
Submit an Annexation Application. Annexation applications must be filed no less than 315 days prior to the election when the annexation is proposed to be submitted to the voters for annexations requiring a comprehensive plan/zone change and no less than 240 days prior to the election for annexations not requiring a comprehensive plan/zone change. |
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The deadline to submit an annexation application for the November 4, 2008 Election is December 24, 2007, for annexations with a comprehensive plan/zone change request and March 9, 2008, for annexations without a comprehensive plan/zone change request. |
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For more information regarding upcoming elections, please contact the Marion County Elections Office. |
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| c. |
Planning Commission review. If the owner requests a new comprehensive plan and/or zone designation, the applicant is required to file a separate application and fee to address the criteria for a comprehensive plan/zone change found in SRC 165.100 (b). |
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If a new comprehensive plan and/or zone designation is proposed, the Planning Commission holds a public hearing to review the proposed zoning of the property. The Planning Commission makes a recommendation to the City Council regarding the appropriate comprehensive plan/zoning designation of the subject property upon annexation. |
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| d. |
City Council decision. The City Council holds a public hearing to receive public testimony and comments regarding the proposed annexation. Following the public hearing, the City Council determines whether or not to refer the proposed annexation to the voters. |
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| e. |
City-wide election. If the Council refers the proposed annexation to the voters, the annexation is placed on the next available ballot. The next available election for annexations is November 4, 2008. |
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| f. |
Adopt an ordinance to annex and withdraw the subject property from special service districts. If the voters approve the proposed annexation, the City Council adopts an ordinance to annex the subject property inside the city limits. |
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| g. |
Filing of annexation records with Secretary of State. The City notifies the State of the territory proposed for annexation. The effective date of the annexation is the date the City files the annexation records with the Secretary of State. |
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| Annexation Application Fees. To review a list of current annexation application fees click here. For voter approved annexations, the applicant is also required to cover the costs associated with the election, including publication costs. There are no election costs for general elections held in May or November of even numbered years. |
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| Publication costs are incurred for all elections. In order to cover publication costs, a deposit is required at the time of application. Publication costs are divided equally between the number of annexation measures referred to the voters. If the deposit does not cover the applicant's share of the publication costs, the deficit amount shall be paid to the City prior to adoption of the annexation ordinance. Any unused portion of the deposit shall be refunded to the applicant following the election. |
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| For more information, click on the following links or contact the Planning Division by calling 503-588-6173 or by email (planning@cityofsalem.net). |
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