Annexation Process
Annexation is the means by which the City of Greenfield extends its corporate boundaries. In its most basic form, annexation can be considered a 5-part process.
Pre-Application
An application may be filed with the LAFCO by petition of affected landowners or registered voters, or by resolution from the involved city. Prior to filing, the proponent should meet with the LAFCO executive officer to establish the minimum requirements for processing, and then meet with any affected special districts and agencies to agree upon a taxation scheme and needed property tax transfers.
Application Filing & Processing
LAFCO has 30 days to review an annexation application and determine that it is complete for processing, or notify the applicant that the application is not complete. If an annexation application also includes the detachment of territory from a city or annexation to a special district, LAFCO must follow special procedures that provide the detaching city or annexing special district the opportunity to request termination of the proceedings by resolution (Sections 56751 and 56857). LAFCO must honor the request.
LAFCO Review & Consideration
LAFCO may approve, conditionally approve, or deny the proposed annexation. LAFCO cannot disapprove an annexation if it meets certain requirements (Section 56375 (a)(4), including "island annexations" that are 150 acres or fewer in size (Section 56375.3). However, only in the latter case are protests required to be waived, if all criteria are met. The lead agency, whether it is the LAFCO or the involved city, must comply with CEQA requirements prior to the LAFCO's action
Protest Proceedings
Unless waived pursuant to Section 56375.3 as an island annexation, or in cases where landowners have provided written consent (56663)(a)(c) or have not objected after receiving notice of the commission's intent to waive protest proceedings (56663)(d), LAFCO, acting as the "conducting authority" in accordance with the requirements of the CKH Act, will hold a public protest hearing to determine whether the proposed annexation must be terminated, or approved with or without an election, to determine the proposal's outcome.
Final Certification
When the LAFCO executive officer is satisfied that all elements of the CKH Act have been properly addressed, and that all conditions have been met, the executive officer will issue a certificate of completion. The annexation is not complete until it has been certified by the executive officer (Section 57200). The commission may establish an "effective date" for the annexation. Alternatively, the effective date will be the date the certificate of completion is recorded by the County Recorder (Section 57202). Once the annexation is recorded, there is no administrative recourse except by legal challenge.