By Laurin Penland
Wilmington, NC – The Wilmington City Council got a look at an annexation plan put together by planning staff. The completed plan will include a prioritized list of areas surrounding Wilmington that are slated for annexation.
There are three criteria for the annexation list: areas that share at lease an 1/8 of their border with the City of Wilmington, have high population density, and are in need of public services will get the highest priority.
The comprehensive plan is an attempt to make the annexation process more transparent and standardized, so surrounding areas will be better prepared for future annexations.
City Council got an earful last year after it annexed part of Monkey Junction, and annexation has gotten residents riled across North Carolina. So, North Carolina lawmakers have been taking a look at changing annexation laws.
Wilmington's planning staff said the new annexation plan should work with the proposed legislation in Raleigh. They're hoping to finish the plan by this summer.