But Largo isn't giving up on annexing Wren's Way. A public hearing on a new attempt is set for Nov. 4.
By SHANNON TAN
Published October 11, 2003
LARGO - The city's annexation of Wren's Way and adjacent properties is void, according to Pinellas County, because public notice for the annexation did not comply with state and county requirements.
Although Largo disputes the legal issues raised by the county, the city will make an effort "to do the right thing," City Manager Steven Stanton said Friday.
That means starting from scratch.
The city plans to place a public hearing notice in the St. Petersburg Times and has scheduled an initial vote on the annexation ordinance Oct. 21. A public hearing will be held Nov. 4. Copies of the annexation petitions have been mailed to residents.
Stanton said city employees will try to meet with residents before the public hearing.
"It's not our desire to bring in people who feel they've been victimized by government," Stanton said. "We want to bring in people who at least feel they've been given an opportunity to be heard."
Several residents of the neighborhood marked for annexation contacted County Administrator Stephen Spratt's office last week after receiving a package in the mail welcoming them to Largo.
They were not notified individually that they were being annexed, and the area had previously voted against joining the city.
Years ago, the Wren's Way developer signed an indenture agreement that said Largo would provide sewer service if the subdivision agreed to be annexed once their borders met.
Wren's Way met city limits after a proposed Wild Oaks subdivision and the owner of a vacant parcel agreed to be annexed. Another nearby property also had an indenture agreement.
City commissioners approved an ordinance Aug. 19 annexing the 42-home subdivision, three homes in the area and the proposed Wild Oaks subdivision.
But Spratt asked his staff and the county attorney's office to determine if proper procedures were followed.
"What we have found is that the annexation is not legal based upon the advertising flaws that are in it," Spratt said.
Residents did not receive copies of the petition for annexation and a legal description of the properties in the mail, as required by a county ordinance.
And Largo placed a public notice about a proposed annexation ordinance in the Tampa Tribune only nine days before the public hearing. Notices have to be placed 10 days before adoption of annexation ordinances.
Largo's attempt to annex Wren's Way failed in a January referendum, even though about half the residents had signed annexation agreements with the city.
Not everyone who signed the agreements showed up to vote.
Jim Atwood, who signed the annexation agreement and voted for annexation, said he told the homeowners association it was better to be voluntarily annexed.
"You can either voluntarily come in and we can get some perks and goodies from Largo," he said, "or you can be forcibly annexed."
Todd Cecil, vice president of Wren's Way Homeowners Association, had opposed being annexed by Largo.
He wonders if it's too late for the city to regain residents' trust.
"I don't know if it's gone too far," he said. But if they "make it right," he says, he may change his mind.
