Resolution 1982-25 - the basis for Prop 2025-07

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 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF BLAINE, WASHINGTON TO SUBMIT TO ITS VOTERS A PROPOSAL TO REDUCE THE CITY CORPORATE LIMITS TO REMOVE CERTAIN PROPERTY THAT HAS REMAINED RURAL IN CHARACTER AND UNDEVELOPED SINCE ITS ANNEXATION IN 1996.  

 the current corporate limits of the City of Blaine include 573.0 acres more or less of land (the "Property" or "Territory"), also known as the East Blaine Area and described in Exhibit A, and depicted on Exhibit B;  

 the Property is not and has not been served with infrastructure that is urban in nature, such as City water and sewer, and has not developed to urban levels since being annexed to the City in 1996;  

 the City Council recognizes that the Property largely consists of undeveloped rural land including forested wetlands, ponds, and aquifer recharge areas, which, combined with other factors and changed circumstances, make road and other urban infrastructure improvements cost prohibitive for the foreseeable future including for the Growth Management Act ("GMA") planning period;  

 the unsuitability of the Property for urban development is evidenced by, among other things, the lack of development activity, including the expiration of a vesting development agreement and the lack of developer-funded urban infrastructure extension since it was annexed approximately thirty (30) years ago;  

 the Property encompasses approximately 573.0 acres more or less within the City's corporate boundaries, which limits the City's ability under the GMA to include other lands more suited for urban use and development;  

 Chapter 35A.16 of the Revised Code of Washington ("RCW") authorizes the reduction of city limits pursuant to a prescribed statutory process;  

 on April 28, 2025, the City Council approved Resolution 1972-25 directing staff to develop a proposal to de-annex the Property in the context of the City's Comprehensive Plan update;  

 after due consideration of prosed reduction in City limits, the City Council has determined that the reduction would preserve natural neighborhoods and communities; be consistent with physical and other appropriate boundaries; preserve logical service areas; protect natural resources; and adjust what has come to be an impractical boundary given the lack of urban development within the area;  

 after due consideration of the benefits and burdens associated with maintaining the Property within the City corporate limits, including the burden on taxpayers and preservation of natural resources in the East Blaine Area, the City Council has determined that the burden outweighs any benefits and that the Property should be considered for removal from the City corporate boundaries;  

the City Council desires to submit the question to the voters at the general election to be held on November 4, 2025, whereupon should three fifths (3/5 ths) of the voters favor removal of the Property from the City corporate limits, the City Council shall adopt an ordinance removing said Property;