City of Casa Grande, Arizona Annexation Questions & Answers
Planning and Zoning
Q. Will annexation change existing zoning? For example: Will areas that are currently zoned to allow livestock and horses remain the same?
A: The city will apply the zoning most compatible to the zoning previously held under Pinal County zoning. If the land was zoned for horses or livestock, it will not change when annexed.
Under the City Code, legal non-conforming uses will be grandfathered upon annexation and may continue until such time the use terminates.
Any subsequent zone changes will follow the City's normal zone change process.
Q. Can the proposed annexation area be made smaller or is the proposed area to be annexed cast in stone?
A: No, the proposed area cannot be made smaller. Once a petition is signed, any changes to the annexation area after that point would require the process to start over.
Q. How does the city determine zoning?
A: Zoning decisions are based on an extensive public process and are guided by the voter-approved General Plan.
Q. Will the City require existing property owners to put in street lights, sidewalks, fire hydrants, and other infrastructure?
A: The City does not require property owners to install street lights, sidewalks, or fire hydrants in existing housing without their consent. These would only be required in new developments, as required by City Code.
All roads currently maintained by Pinal County will be maintained by the City at an equal or greater level.
Traffic signals will be maintained and installed where warranted.
Paved roads will be swept monthly.
Sidewalks will be maintained and installed where appropriate.
Q. What is the City plan for growth in the annexation area? What is the City future vision for this area?
A: The annexation area is included in the City's last General Plan. Potential land uses are shown in that plan. The General Plan can be viewed on the City's website at http://www.casagrandeaz.gov. A copy is also located in the City Library.
Q. How would existing Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs) be affected?
A: Existing CC&Rs will not be affected
Q. How will the City address light pollution?
A: The City enacted a Dark Sky Ordinance in 1987. The purpose of the Dark Sky Ordinance is to provide for regulation of light fixtures in the City, in order to preserve the night sky.
In areas designated rural residential the City currently prefers not to have lights except in major intersections where they may be needed.
Q. Will the City make residents pave their dirt roads?
A: The City will not require residents to pave dirt roads so long as the current use of the property remains the same.
Regardless of the annexation, the Pinal County Division of Air Quality may require streets to be paved, in order to meet their air quality standards.
Homeowners who wish to have their roads paved, and are willing to pay for that service, can join together with their neighbors and accomplish that.
Q. Will easement agreements between neighboring properties change?
A: No, private easements are agreements between landowners on private property. The City has no authority regarding these agreements.
Q. What is the current police officer ratio for the City?
A: The current police officer ratio is about 2.0 officers per thousand residents.
Q. Will the City build a fire station and/or police station to service the annexation area?
A: The City will evaluate the need for building fire and/or police stations in the annexed area. This decision is based on response times for our fire crews and maintaining the current ratio of approximately 2.0 police officers per thousand residents.
Q. Will the City respond to bees?
A: The City's fire department only responds to complaints when the bees are actively attacking.
Citizens calling about other bee problems will be given information about bee keepers or exterminators.
Q. Will property owners be required to connect to the City sewer system?
A: Property owners are not required to hook up to City sewer unless their septic tank fails and they live within 300 feet of a City sewer line.
Q. Will my water company still provide service to the area after annexation?
A: Yes.
Q. What are the changes in animal control service costs, including licensing costs?
A: Unaltered Dog - $30; Altered Dog - $15; Cat - $10-$20.
In exchange for the increase in costs, the City can provide a higher level of service than the County provides.
Q. Why does the City want to annex?
A: To help ensure controlled future growth and development in the area and to help preserve rural areas.
Q. What are the disadvantages to remaining in the unincorporated area of the County?
A:
- Uncontrolled growth similar to that seen around other communities in Arizona.
- Eventual annexation into a different city.
- Diminishing County services due to rapid growth.
- Less representation from elected officials. The County Board of Supervisors is comprised of three members representing three districts. County residents only vote for the member of the district they reside in. The City of Casa Grande has a seven member City Council. The electorate votes for all seven members.
Q. What are the main benefits for annexation into the City?
A:
- The City can help to ensure that future growth is appropriately planned.
- The City can provide a level of service equal to or greater than current levels in all Pinal County provided areas.
- More representation from elected officials. The City of Casa Grande has a seven member council. The electorate votes for all seven members.
Q. What is the cost to apply and request for an annexation into the City of Casa Grande?
A: $500 plus $5 per acre, maximum of $2,120.
Q. What is the property tax implication?
A: Property taxes would increase in order to cover the costs of supplying police, fire, sanitation, and wastewater service. The City's primary tax rate is $.8988 per $100 of assessed valuation, and the secondary tax rate is $.6308 per $100 of assessed valuation.
Q. Will the cost for trash service increase?
A: The City currently picks up trash twice a week, and charges $19 per month for this service.
The City currently provides the landfill on a fee basis for private haulers.
City residents do not pay a fee to utilize the landfill. Non-residents pay $15 a carload.
The City picks up recyclables with no additional fee. The County does not have a recycling program.
Q. Who will make up the City's deficit from the annexation (if applicable)?
A: Initially the increased cost to provide services to residents of the area will be absorbed into the City's budget, except for those services requiring user fees.
Q. Will the City require property owners to pay for the installation of fire hydrants?
A: Fire hydrants will not be required except in new developments. If homeowners chose to have fire hydrants they would bear the cost of installation.
Q. What is the change in requirement and cost for business licenses?
A: The City of Casa Grande charges $50.00 annually for a business license. Pinal County does not require a business license.
Q. Will homeowners insurance premiums go up or down?
A: It is difficult to answer because insurance policies vary from insurance company to insurance company. In general residential properties located inside a city with a full-service fire department will have lower insurance rates than homes in a rural area without a dedicated fire department.
General Annexation Questions
Q. Will school districts change?
A: School districts remain the same.
Q. How do residents receive information related to proposed annexations?
A: Property owners should contact the City of Casa Grande Planning and Development Department.
Q. Can individual property owners opt out of the annexation, if they are within its limits?
A: No. If more than half of the property owners and more than half of the owners of the total assessed valuation sign, the annexation can move forward. If the annexation is approved by City Council, all owners are annexed into the City.
Q. If a property owner does not respond to the petition for annexation, is this considered a "NO" vote?
A: Not signing the annexation petition is essentially a "NO" vote. If a property owner is in favor of annexation they will vote "YES" by signing the petition.
Annexation Process
Official letter requesting annexation.
Request for City Council direction to proceed.
Request for information from AZ Dept. of Revenue & Pinal County Assessor's Office.
Record blank petition with Pinal County Recorder's Office.
30-day waiting period.
Petition circulation.
Annexation Infrastructure & Services Plan passed by City Council.
Annexation Ordinance adopted by City (2 council readings).
Initial County Zoning adopted for annexation area.
30-day protest/contest period.
Annexation final, Ordinance and signed petition filed with Pinal County Recorder's Office.
Final zoning adopted by City Council.
Information Sources
For GENERAL questions about the annexation process, contact the City of Casa Grande Planning and Development Department at 520-421-8637.
For LEGAL questions contact the City Attorney's office at 520-421-8600 ext. 1320.
For PARCEL INFORMATION or LEGAL DESCRIPTION, go to the County Assessor's website at: http://co.pinal.az.us/Assessor
