Council authorizes staff to negotiate Perry‑family annexation and to seek master‑plan funding

City staff briefed the council on a proposed annexation of roughly 272 acres owned by the Perry family and a companion master‑planning proposal by Jeffrey Farrell Associates. The consultant’s all‑in price for a full master‑planning process was presented as $138,000.

Matt Ward (task‑force facilitator) described a collaborative process that would yield development standards, walkability and open‑space guidelines, architectural standards and feasibility analysis. Ward said the consultant can deliver a complete package in roughly 90 days if authorized.

Council discussion focused on fee‑splitting, protections for the city, must‑have development principles and whether it was premature to spend planning funds before a clear set of non‑negotiables had been agreed with the Perry family. Several members emphasized the need to preserve green space, require walkability and retain public access to parks.

A motion passed directing staff and legal counsel to continue negotiations with the property owners to secure annexation into an urban reserve and to allocate funds not to exceed $103,500 (75% of $138,000) toward the master plan on the condition that the Perry family agree to enter the urban reserve and hire or accept the consultant arrangement. Council discussion specified the payment was contingent on the owners’ agreement; the task force and planning staff will continue to refine must‑have and must‑not‑have lists during negotiation.

What comes next: Staff and legal counsel will complete annexation negotiations, the task force will work with the consultant if terms are met, and finance will track the contingent appropriation in planning and zoning professional‑services lines.