The annexation of properties in the Somerset Subdivision will be put up for discussion in Urbana City Council’s Monday night meeting. If the ordinance passes an initial vote Monday night, it will be put to a final vote at next week’s council meeting.

Somerset Subdivision is located north of 74 and south of Airport Road, said David Gehrig, Ward 2. Diane Marlin, Ward 7, said the subdivision was east of Route 45 and between Highcross Road and Route 45.

This draft ordinance calls for 54 of these properties of single-family homes in the subdivision to become part of Urbana. According to the memorandum, the properties are required to be annexed from an agreement between the city and Donald Flessner, developer of Somerset Subdivision. The reason behind entering into this agreement is to receive sanitary sewer services from the city.

Marlin said there are 70 single family homes in the subdivision and the city has not heard from 13 property owners.

“It becomes part of the city,” Charlie Smyth, Ward 1 said. “It’s been a long-time in the making. It results in more residents in the city of Urbana. The subdivision becomes part of the city’s limits. They (would) share the burdens and privileges of being in the city.”

Smyth added that some of the burdens would be paying city taxes for maintaining the sanitary sewer system. He said the properties are part of an extra territory jurisdiction, which is a mile and a half territory defined by the state. The properties in the subdivision receive county sheriff protection and voluntary fire services. An advantage of the Somerset Subdivision becoming part of the city would be receiving fire, police, library and sewer maintenance, Smyth said.

According to the ordinance, the project has been underway for a considerable amount of time. In July 1994, subdivision one, two and three in the Somerset complex were annexed or added to the city. While subdivision number four was added in Oct. 2002, subdivision five was added in July 2006.

Gehrig said the plan was built over the last 20 years. He said the main difference in the plan this time around is the city is looking at two undeveloped fields near the subdivision to be added to Urbana.

“I think the main impact is for the people in the subdivision,” he added. “The impact for Urbana means that property taxes can go to Urbana to cover the library, park districts and so on. It expands Urbana’s tax base.”

Marlin said the remaining annexation of these properties will increase the city’s population, bring people into the city and increase revenue in the form of property, utility and motor fuel taxes.

“This seems pretty straightforward,” she said. “I haven’t heard from any opposition. It fills in a piece of the city and that’s how cities grow.”

Gehrig said he agreed to the benefits of the long-awaited completion of the plan.

“It gives us the money to do the good things we want to do,” Gehrig said. “I think it’s no surprise. It’s been coming for a long time. It’s good to see a long-term plan coming to its fruition.”