SEQUIM –– A request to have 14.66 acres of land annexed off the private Cameron Farm Drive on Sequim’s west side was put to the City Council last week.
The annexation would be the first addition to the city since 2008.
The council voted 6-1 to begin the process, with Councilman Erik Erichsen voting against, saying he wanted more time to review the proposal and discuss it with the council.
Dave Cameron presented his annexation request to the council at its Jan. 13 meeting, saying it would make sense to have his family’s ground annexed for the city’s future development.
“Eventually, it makes sense,” Cameron said. “There’s nothing necessarily in the works, but if we’re ever going to want to develop that, it’s just going to be that much easier if it’s already gone through the process.”
Cameron’s mother, Shirley Cameron, owns most of the property within the area requested for annexation.
City planner Jack Dodge told the council that because the Camerons own more than 60 percent of the property, they can initiate the annexation process.
“It’s inevitable,” Cameron said of the land being added to the city.
The land already has been designated as part of the city’s urban growth area, a requirement of annexation.
Neighbors also
Cameron’s annexation request also applies to neighbors Timothy and Barbara Owens, who own a house on 1.57 acres on the proposed property.
Dodge said only those living within the annexation area could object. They will be contacted by the city’s boundary review board.
Cameron said he has yet to speak with the Owens.
The Owens could not be reached for comment.
Sequim’s Planning Commission will review the annexation once the petition is filed and forward a recommendation to the council as to whether to approve the addition.
Dodge also told the council the annexation could clear the way for a Ninth Avenue connection between Fir Street and Hendrickson Road, since Cameron Farm Drive is on top of a right of way owned by the city.
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Sequim-Dungeness Valley Editor Joe Smillie can be reached at 360-681-2390, ext. 5052, or at jsmillie@peninsuladailynews.com.
