initiated by the property owner, provided that the property is contiguous to City limits or <br />separated only by right-of-way or a body of water. Properties must also demonstrate that a <br />minimum level of key urban services are available or can be extended to serve the site. The <br />specific triggers for annexation and/or annexation agreements are specified in the Lane County <br />version of the Eugene Code (EC) 9.4640. <br />Property outside the city but inside the UGB used to be able to annex to the City even if the <br />property was not contiguous, provided that the Lane County Boundary Commission approved. <br />However, the Legislature abolished the Boundary Commission and the Council adopted code <br />provisions making it difficult to develop unless property first annexed. That occurred prior to the <br />beginning of the recent recession. With development activity beginning to pick up again, the <br />policy question about whether to allow annexation agreements, rather than immediate <br />annexation, warrants consideration by Council. In several cases, property owners have been <br />unable to proceed with development plans due to lack of contiguity with City limits or the <br />availability of urban services (which means they cannot annex). The alternative of allowing <br />annexation agreements would be one way to allow industrial development to proceed in the area, <br />with a binding agreement to annex in the future when possible. <br />RELATED CITY POLICIES <br />Encouraging development and redevelopment within the ICCO area supports adopted planning <br />and policy goals and objectives. Examples include: <br />Envision Eugene Pillars <br />Provide ample economic opportunities for all community members <br />1(a). Plan for an employment growth rate of 1.4 percent. This growth rate translates into <br />an increase of 35,800 jobs over 20 years. <br />1(c). Work with property owners of current vacant or developed industrial lands, <br />especially those larger than 25 acres, to reduce the financial and regulatory obstacles to <br />development, with a goal of making these sites ready for development. <br />Regional Prosperity Economic Development Plan <br />o By 2020, create 20,000 net new jobs in the chosen economic opportunity areas; reduce the local <br />unemployment rate to, or below the state average; and increase the average wage to or above <br />the state average. <br />o Strengthen Key Industries <br />• Identify strategies to address unique and logistical needs of existing and <br />emerging industries <br />• Develop associations or networks among targeted cluster businesses for <br />innovative networking, information-sharing and provide opportunities for <br />business growth <br />Pursue opportunities to expand and recruit businesses, ideas, and <br />entrepreneurs into our region <br />Enhance our existing business and community <br />