Altoona council approves 836.40-acre annexation after public comment

Mayor Dean O’Connor presided as the City of Altoona City Council voted to annex approximately 836.40 acres into the city limits on March 3, 2025, approving an 80/20 voluntary annexation that includes some parcels that did not submit voluntary petitions to avoid creating islands.

Community Development Director John Shaw told the council the annexation area totals 836.4 acres; 708.478 acres (88.1871%) are owned by property owners who submitted voluntary annexation petitions and 94.902 acres (11.8129%) are owned by property owners who did not submit voluntary petitions. "The annexation area is 836.4 acres," Shaw said during the hearing.

The public hearing opened at 6:46 p.m. and drew multiple residents. Amanda Lindstrom, of 4310 NE 62nd Ave., said she is involved in the involuntary annexation process and urged the city to avoid including her property: "I hope to have the project go around my property," she said. A resident of Sunnybrook Mobile Home Park asked whether the park was included; Mayor O’Connor stated it was not.

Other commenters were split. Amy Hansen of 4274 NE 62nd Ave. told the council she did not want to be involuntarily annexed. Loren Steenhoek, 4063 NE 62nd Ave., spoke in favor of the annexation and shared his experiences with past annexations. Nick Griffin, 4294 NE 62nd Ave., said he opposed being annexed. The hearing closed at 7:06 p.m.

Following the hearing, the council adopted a resolution to annex the described lands into the corporate limits of Altoona, including some parcels without owners’ consent to create more uniform boundaries and avoid islands. The roll call reflects five council votes in favor and none opposed (5-0).

The council’s action adds territory to Altoona’s corporate limits but the record does not show subsequent implementation steps or timelines; the resolution text and any required administrative steps will be finalized under the city attorney’s review and standard annexation procedures.