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Residents urge council to pause annexations, demand comprehensive plan
Summary
Multiple residents told the Blue Ridge City Council they oppose annexing outlying parcels into the city’s ETJ without a completed comprehensive plan and clearer developer disclosures; speakers urged more public notice and questioned wastewater and developer track records.
Several residents used the public‑comment period to urge the Blue Ridge City Council to slow or stop proposed annexations and to finish a comprehensive plan before allowing development in the extraterritorial jurisdiction.
"I don't want to see our city get in another complicated situation," said Camille Shen, a resident who identified her address and asked why the council was pursuing annexation of parcels she said are not close to town. Shen asked the council for clearer information about where the property is located and who will develop it.
Other speakers echoed that call. A commenter identifying herself as Carolyn Knowles said she is "opposed to all efforts to annex or expand any property into the Blue Ridge ETJ until further notice," and Debbie Marshall said the city should not annex property "until we have a proper planning and zoning committee" and a comprehensive plan in place. Marshall added that moving forward without those tools would be irresponsible.
Wendy Reynolds told the council she had quickly researched the developers listed in the packet and warned council members they "are not who they portray themselves as being," naming entities and individuals she said were affiliated with Florida businesses. The council did not directly respond to Reynolds's allegations during public comment, but members later said they wanted the city attorney present before advancing development agreements.
Ed Sanchez, who identified himself as a retired Austin planning and development administrator, urged the council to adopt zoning and a comprehensive plan to avoid "hodgepodge" growth and cautioned about relying on MUD package wastewater plants, which he said can carry federal enforcement risks if they fail.
The public comments prefaced later council action to issue a request for proposals for a comprehensive plan and to table several development agreement ordinances pending further review and legal counsel.
