Staff explains law allowing Alexandria non‑contiguous annexation authority but says no annexation has occurred

Staff told the Redevelopment Commission that legislation authorizing Alexandria to pursue non‑contiguous (extraterritorial) annexations for the industrial allocation area was passed two legislative sessions ago, but stressed that the law only grants authority and does not itself annex property. The staff member said Senator Gasco carried the bill in the Senate and that the commission has about three years remaining under the measure to pursue any annexations.

The clarification came amid confusion in the community about whether annexation had already occurred and whether it was intended to benefit a specific private project. The staff member said the process the commission would follow still requires petitions — in this case “super‑voluntary” annexations — contiguity studies where required, public hearings and the typical statutory steps. "Those petitions have not been brought yet," the staff member said, adding the properties in the industrial park remain outside the city until the statutory annexation procedures are completed.

The speaker described contiguity as the statutory rule that, in standard annexations, at least one‑eighth of the perimeter of the area to be annexed must share a border with the city. The new legislation removes that contiguity requirement for the specified industrial area, but the staff member said other procedural steps remain. The speaker also noted that litigation, petitions, public comment periods and additional studies would be required before any annexation could be finalized.

Commissioners asked timing questions; the staff member said the commission must still pursue petitions and work with property owners and counsel. The speaker said that legal counsel and consultants have been or will be engaged to help with petitions and that the commission is "several steps away" from any annexation conversation becoming concrete.

The meeting record shows the clarification was offered to correct earlier public confusion and to note that any future annexation will involve public hearings and formal petitions under state statute.