Anderson City Common Council voted to annex 7.5 acres into the city to accommodate a planned maternity home and related development by Little Miracles Pregnancy Resource Center.

City attorney Tom Beeman and Little Miracles executive director Debbie Danner presented the proposal, saying the land was donated by the Schock family and the project will start with eight rooms, with space to expand. "This maternity home is gonna be more than just a facility. It's gonna be a haven for pregnant mothers and their children," Danner said.

The annexation (Ordinance 16-25) covers property near the northwest edge of the city where Bridal Avenue and West Cross Street merge. Beeman told the council the parcel consists of "7 and a half acres" split roughly as one acre on one side of the road and 6.5 acres on the other, and that the organization has submitted renderings and is fundraising.

Danner described services the home will provide, including residential space for mothers and children, job-skills and parenting support, and partnerships with community organizations and Community Hospital. She said the organization intends to relocate its corporate office to the site and that the project will include a neighboring "renew" building with commercial tenants intended to provide ongoing revenue.

Council members asked about utilities and transit access. City staff confirmed water and sewer lines run just south of the property and that, once annexed, the site would join the city utility system; Danner and Beeman said hookups would be pursued in the normal way and that tap/connection fees apply. On transit, a councilor asked whether bus service reaches the site; a city representative said there was not currently a fixed route but the transit system is being redesigned and bus service could be incorporated or requested on an as-needed basis.

Councilors voted to complete three readings and adopt Ordinance 16-25 during the meeting. The council also introduced and approved Resolution 11-25, a fiscal plan tied to the annexation that documents how city services and utilities will be provided. Both measures passed by roll-call vote.

The council and presenters asked that the new facility be considered for coordination with other social-service providers in the county. Danner said Little Miracles already refers families to existing services and will continue to do so. The project remains contingent on the nonprofit's fundraising and permitting process; annexation gives the organization access to city utilities and the ability to proceed with site and building plans.

The council set the matter as enacted following the required readings; staff and applicants will proceed with the next steps on utility connections and permitting.