Council approves pre-annexation for 21.38-acre Posh Road parcel after resident easement concern

The O'Fallon City Council on March 17 approved a pre-annexation agreement with Bruce Holland of Posh Road LLC covering about 21.38 acres at 1314 Posh Road (partial ID 0313200004) and later approved an ordinance to annex the property.

During public comment, landowner Mike Combrick said he had no objection to the annexation but asked that the council ensure the existing easement remains in force: he said the easement limits development to three houses and provides a 20-foot gravel road that is not intended as a public right-of-way. Combrick told the council the prospective annexing party had refused to purchase the easement at a price the landowner considered reasonable and asked the council to preserve the underlying landowner's rights when the property is subdivided.

Council discussion noted that the county-approved maintenance requirements for the roadway would remain the same and that the three-piece subdivision limit would be unchanged under the agreement. The council approved the pre-annexation resolution (motion by Councilmember Campbell) and then approved an ordinance annexing the 21.38-acre parcel into the city. During the resolution vote one alderperson recorded a “No” (Albrecht); the motion otherwise carried. The annexation ordinance vote followed and passed on roll call.

Staff and council members said the annexation proceeds under the county's maintenance terms and does not change the existing easement condition limiting the property to three lots. No change to the public-right-of-way status of the 20-foot gravel road was announced at the meeting.