Lexington council directs clerk to investigate petition to annex 3.45-acre parcel on Old Salisbury Road
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Summary
The Lexington City Council voted Oct. 28 to direct the city clerk to investigate the sufficiency of a voluntary annexation petition for a 3.45-acre parcel on Old Salisbury Road, a preliminary step that could lead to industrial zoning and future annexation proceedings.
Lexington — The Lexington City Council on Oct. 28 adopted Resolution 2024-028 directing the city clerk to investigate the sufficiency of a voluntary annexation petition for a 3.45-acre parcel located along Old Salisbury Road.
Josh Monk, presenting the petition on behalf of the property owners William Dixon Robertson III and Francis Robertson Butler, told council the owners seek voluntary annexation and potential industrial zoning to match adjacent parcels. Monk said the petition is the first of three council appearances required by city practice: an initial determination of interest, a report from staff and the city clerk that the petition meets statutory requirements, and a public hearing followed by an annexation ordinance if council chooses to proceed.
Council members pressed staff on current zoning and boundaries. Monk said the parcel currently carries a county RA-2 (rural agriculture) designation and that any request for city zoning would follow standard Planning Board review and a subsequent council decision. Staff also noted a GIS display quirk that made a nearby industrial parcel appear to extend outside city limits; Monk said the clerk’s investigation would verify parcel ownership and the city’s ability to provide required services.
Councilman Wilburn moved to adopt Resolution 2024-028, with Councilman Burke seconding; the motion passed by voice vote. The resolution instructs the city clerk to confirm the petition’s sufficiency under applicable statutes and departmental serviceability before the council advances to a public hearing or ordinance stage.
The council and staff did not disclose the developer’s identity at this meeting; staff characterized the current vote as a procedural step to verify legal and service prerequisites rather than approval of a land-use plan. If the petition is certified as sufficient, staff said the next scheduled appearance will include formal notice and a public hearing where residents can comment before any annexation ordinance is considered.
No public comments were offered during the open comment period at this meeting.
