Selma council approves revised North Selma annexation map, plans to resubmit to LAFCO

The Selma City Council voted unanimously on June 16 to endorse a revised annexation boundary for the North Selma annexation and to forward that map to the Fresno Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO) for final action.

City staff and the project applicant presented a map that removes roughly 26 acres from the previously approved 181-acre annexation area, reducing the proposed annexation to about 155 acres. Staff told the council the revision responds to 12 protest forms from registered voters in the proposed territory; county election records show 19 registered voters in the reorganization territory, and staff said 12 valid registered-voter protests exceed the 50% protest threshold that can terminate an inhabited annexation proceeding at LAFCO.

Applicant representative Mr. Roberts told the council the revision is intended to preserve the primary development area and important public-right-of-way necessary for future widening and sewer projects while removing parcels that had formally protested. "We're asking for an alternative boundary," he said, noting the revision would allow the project to proceed without the registered-voter protests that LAFCO identified as a barrier.

Several residents who oppose annexation spoke at the hearing, citing concerns about added taxes, a lack of existing sewer infrastructure, and the prospect of creating a small county island. Mandep Singh said many neighbors oppose the annexation because of higher costs and infrastructure questions. Allison Ying Bower, whose family asked to be included, urged the council to approve the revised boundary so properties that seek access to city services can move forward.

Council members discussed island creation, infrastructure timing and the LAFCO process; staff said the revised map would leave a small island of roughly seven acres in one corner but would retain public rights-of-way and the parcels expected to fund needed infrastructure. By a 5-0 vote council supported forwarding the revised boundary to LAFCO with the city's recommendation for approval.

The matter now moves to LAFCO, which will make the official determination; staff cautioned that LAFCO can accept, modify or reject the proposed boundary.