CRESTVIEW — Three unanimous city council votes have resulted in Crestview growing a bit bigger and an already annexed property receiving local zoning.
The council on Tuesday approved the first reading of an ordinance rezoning almost 11 acres across Old Bethel Road from Davidson Middle School.
The new Crestview public land district zoning replaces the site’s Okaloosa County residential and agricultural zoning for a Methodist church under construction.
The ordinance will return before the council for a final reading and approval at the council’s June 8 meeting.
ANNEXATION
Two requests for out-of-city water service — for properties on John King Road and Redstone Avenue — also met with unanimous approval.
The owners of property in Okaloosa County but near Crestview city water lines may request city water and sewer service if county service is not available.
However, they must also agree to have their properties annexed into the city when they do.
Owners of a Childcare Network preschool planned for John King Road and the Crestview Renalus Center medical office planned for Redstone Avenue agreed to be annexed, Administrative Services Director Teresa Gaillard said.
However, a technicality prevents annexation of the Redstone property right away, she said.
“Currently annexation would create an enclave,” or an “island” of property under Okaloosa County jurisdiction inside Crestview city limits, Gaillard said.
“Three other properties would have to annex before this property can annex,” she said.
However, the property owners signed a municipal service agreement agreeing to annexation when it becomes possible, she said.
NO LOCAL INSPECTION
Fire Chief Joe Traylor said annexing more property into the city creates extra burdens for his department. That's because property owners don’t start paying city fire taxes until a year after annexation, he said.
Also, his department’s inspectors don’t get to inspect new buildings on annexed property while they are being built.
“We don't get any say in reviewing the documentation or construction, but we will have the responsibility for protection after the fact,” Traylor said.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Crestview grows bigger — but annexed properties continue to pay Okaloosa County fees