Council approves resolution to seek Sedgwick County review for island annexation at West Valley Addition

The Valley Center City Council voted to approve Resolution 779-25, asking Sedgwick County to consider an island annexation of Lot 5, Block A in the West Valley Addition.

Applicant Ayda Lopez, who identified herself as the recent purchaser of the parcel near 80th and Hoover Road, told the council she bought the land last October and would like it annexed into Valley Center so she could subdivide the property into smaller lots for two homes; she said the parcel is currently in Sedgwick County and that surrounding parcels are already within city limits. “Our intention was to buy... to build two homes there,” Lopez said, and she added the property has alternate development options, including a potential event venue or a duplex.

City staff explained that adoption of the resolution is the first step in an island-annexation process. If the council adopts the resolution, staff will file it with Sedgwick County; the county will make findings about interference with other development and then return the matter to the city as an ordinance that would be considered in two readings with public notice to nearby property owners.

A council member asked about minimum lot sizes. City staff reported that, typically, Sedgwick County’s minimum lot-size threshold relevant to this discussion is around two acres; smaller lots would generally require annexation and city zoning.

After brief discussion the council made a motion to approve Resolution 779-25 requesting Sedgwick County review of the proposed island annexation. The motion carried.

Staff noted that, should the county make a favorable finding, the annexation would return to the council as an ordinance and then zoning, subdivision and public-notice processes would apply before any change of land use.