Planning commission recommends annexation of three parcels, including lakefront homes and city right-of-way for McKrights Ferry Road

The City of Tuscaloosa Planning and Zoning Commission on July 21 recommended annexation of three properties: 15104 Burnt Pines Road, 15440 Sandstone Road, and approximately 81.06 acres of city-owned parcels and proposed right-of-way for the McKrights Ferry Road extension.

The commission heard staff presentations showing the two smaller properties touch Lake Tuscaloosa and are identified in the city’s future service expansion area. Petitioners said the two smaller annexations were “for school purposes” so the owners’ children could remain in the same school system. Leota Coyne, Director of Planning, presented the staff reports. Brent and Whitney Keith spoke for the Burnt Pines annexation; Sonia and Brandon Bice spoke for the Sandstone Road annexation.

The third item involved a larger city-initiated annexation of several parcels totaling about 81.06 acres to secure right-of-way for the McKrights Ferry (sometimes called McKrights) Road extension from Land Drive to the northern bypass at Bryant Bridge. Coyne and city engineering staff described the parcels as city-owned and located in the city’s primary expansion area; there were no public comments on that item.

For each item, the commission voted in favor. The commission noted that matters that are recommendations to the City Council (annexations other than subdivision approvals) are subject to final City Council action. Staff confirmed required public notice had been given.

The commission did not take up service commitments in detail; petitioners and staff repeatedly emphasized the annexations were being requested primarily to allow school assignment continuity and to bring city-owned right-of-way fully into city limits.

The commission approved the recommendations by voice vote and welcomed the properties into the city for subsequent processing.

The annexation recommendations will proceed to the City Council for final action.