House bill OKs change NC forced annexation laws

May 3, 2011

Katelyn Supa,

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — Landowners could block a North Carolina
municipality from acquiring unincorporated areas against their will
if 60 percent of them file petitions against the plan in
legislation approved by a House committee.

The House Rules Committee voted Monday night in favor of
altering dramatically the method by which towns and cities have
been able to incorporate tracts of land abutting their boundaries
for more than 50 years. The bill now goes to another House
committee.

The new rules would block an involuntary annexation if 60
percent of the property owners in the area opposed it within about
four months of the annexation ordinance.

The measure also would require a municipality to install water
and sewer service for free if a majority of property owners request
it in about 60 days.