A. The Character of the Community. The West Point area was originally settled by Mormon pioneers in 1866. The area spawned large successful farms with agriculture continued as the basic industry and lifestyle until recently.

The general area occupied by West Point is bordered on the west by the Great Salt Lake and on the east by Clearfield City, north by Clinton City and south by Syracuse City. West Point is located in a very aesthetically beautiful setting with the Wasatch National Forest containing stands of pine and quaking aspen trees and abundance of wildlife to the east and the Great Salt Lake with Antelope Island to the west. West Point is a family-oriented community known for its pastoral setting, rural atmosphere, and small-town character.

West Point has experienced significant growth in the last decade as urban development continues to expand. The majority of residential dwellings are single-family detached units in standard subdivisions. This development has occurred mostly in the eastern portion of the city while areas in the western portion of the city remain largely undeveloped and rural in character.

Future expansion of the city may include residential, commercial and business park areas. Neighborhoods within which residents have been historically identified with the community should not be excluded from the community or divided between communities.

B. The Need for Municipal Services in Developed and Undeveloped Unincorporated Areas. The areas considered for annexation are located generally within the area illustrated on the expansion area map as adopted by the city. If annexed to West Point, municipal services would likely be able to be provided either by the city or by special service districts such as the North Davis Sewer District, Hooper Water District and Weber Basin Water District. New annexations may include areas which are largely undeveloped and which contain unique features and characteristics. Such areas may include open space, riparian areas, shore lands, and natural resource areas. Expansion of the city into these areas will allow appropriate preservation while blending in development and providing appropriate growth and management opportunities to benefit property owners and the citizens of West Point City.

West Point City believes it is in the interest of its citizens and will provide public health, safety and welfare to assure the responsibility for providing municipal services to the expansion area as adopted by the city. The provision of municipal services to this area will assure the city of the ability to protect the interests of its residents in maximizing the benefits of the economies of scale in the provision of municipal services and in minimizing the harmful impacts of conflicting uses of land that may be proposed or occur within the expansion area.

The area is currently served by Davis County, which provides road maintenance and police protection. The Hooper Water District provides secondary water services. Existing residents receive culinary water from Hooper Water District. The county is not in any position to provide culinary water or site-specific storm drainage services to the area. Providing water, sewer and storm drainage services to the expansion area would present no serious difficulty for West Point City. These facilities could be constructed when development occurs within the annexed areas.

These areas would be serviced by the North Davis Sewer Improvement District as annexation occurs. New annexations should include areas in which services can be provided efficiently. The annexation should not create topographically isolated areas, areas for which the provision of services would be costly or difficult, or an area in which ground water runoff would create multi-jurisdictional problems.

C. Plans and Time Frame for Extension of Municipal Services. The expansion area is close to the existing community and utility infrastructure of West Point City. Major traffic facilities extend to these areas along which all services, whether on, beneath, or above ground, could be extended. Fire, police, solid waste collection, street maintenance and similar municipal services not dependent on the extension of an infrastructure could be commenced when appropriate. Extensions of infrastructure, i.e., water, sewer, and storm drain systems, would be undertaken when needed as capital improvement funds become available. Municipal services would follow development and the city’s budget capability.

Areas not now considered for new infrastructure and services beyond the city’s budget capability would be serviced over a period of time as development takes place. These areas are presently serviced by the North Davis Sewer District and the Hooper Water District.

When development proposals are submitted for specific urban development, agreements for the provision of services and improvements are entered into between the city and the developer resolving issues before final approvals are given. All developments are required to provide supporting site-specific infrastructure related to developments that are not systems of citywide improvements which benefit the community as a whole.

D. How Services Will Be Financed. The financing of services for newly annexed areas will be accomplished by various means. The city will place requirements on developers in such areas to install public improvements as set forth in this chapter and the development codes.

Previously developed areas for which annexation petitions are submitted to the city will be reviewed for adequacy of services before approval. If deficiencies are discovered, the financing of improvements may be determined by agreements between the city, the petitioners, property owners, and/or developers of adjacent property. The financing may be accomplished by various means, i.e., the city’s general fund, debt financing, special improvement districts or by developer contributions. General government and public safety services will be provided to such areas as soon as possible. Interlocal cooperation agreements may be used to cover transition periods.

Lands that are the subject of petitions for annexations that are undeveloped and not serviced will be reviewed carefully by the city engineer and appropriate city departments to determine the most feasible means of financing infrastructure and needed improvements. In most cases, installation of such improvements and services will be financed by the developer of the property.

E. An Estimate of a Tax Consequence to Residences Both Currently Within the Municipal Boundaries and the Expansion Area. The areas presented herein as favorable for annexation to West Point represent a variety of development potential and distance. It is believed that all of these areas could be serviced adequately by the city. Some of the lands within these areas may be suitable for industrial commercial development and would be considered for such. West Point’s property tax base relies primarily upon taxing of residential property. The development of nonresidential uses in some newly annexed areas could ultimately result in some relief for the residential properties throughout the city.

It is generally believed that annexation in the general areas shown, if monitored by the city to assure a satisfactory balance of land uses, would not alter the distribution of taxes to any great extent. It is recognized also that the potential exists for commercial development and the generation of sales tax to augment the city’s revenues.

The areas shown as favorable for annexation are all or partially within the North Davis County Sewer District, Hooper Water District, and the Davis County Mosquito Abatement District and are subject to tax levies imposed by these special districts.

F. The Interest of All Affected Entities. Prior to the approval of any property for annexation, the petitioners may be requested by the city to provide recommendations from neighboring local governmental jurisdictions regarding the proposal and potential impact of annexation on the general county economic needs, goals or objectives. Applicants for annexation may also have to identify any special districts or county departments that are currently providing services to the property. If the proposed area is receiving services that are to be assumed by West Point City, a statement should be included indicating that steps can be taken to assure an effective transition in the delivery of services. A timetable for extending services should be included if the city is unable to provide services immediately. If the proposal includes a specific urban development, an agreement for the provision of services and improvements should be concluded between the city and the applicant.

All affected entities as defined by Section 10-2-401(1)(a), Utah Code Annotated 1953, may review the proposed annexation policy plan or amendments thereto and may submit oral or written comments and recommendations to the planning commission as invited to do so by notice posted and mailed pursuant to state law. The city shall address any comment made by affected entities at or within 10 days after the public meeting held by the planning commission to receive said input from affected entities as stated by the law.

G. Expansion Area. A map depicting the proposed expansion area for West Point City’s general plan document. [Ord. 08-17-2021B § 2 (Exh. A)].