For the longest time, the City of Frankfort has wanted to annex all the way out to Interstate 65. On Monday night, the Frankfort City Council unanimously gave its blessing for that project to happen.
“The council unanimously passed a resolution tonight that starts the process of annexing territory further west out to 65,” said Frankfort City Councilman Eric Woods. “The mayor and the council both fully supported this. We have finally come together with the partnership of the county. It’s mutually beneficial for all of us that we see growth for Frankfort and Clinton County.”
Woods talks about the annexed area which currently stops at the new NHK Building that is rapidly being built on 28.
“The current annexation map takes us west to a property just on the west side of I-65 along State Road 28,” Woods said. “That map also includes a little bit of land on the north side of 28 and it does take in Jefferson.”
Frankfort Mayor Judy Sheets said she knew it was something they had to do.
“The city and the county need to make sure that their in agreement on the issues involved with this,” said Sheets. “It’s something that’s been in the works anyway. Last fall, the legislators thought about making a change to this which kind of gave us a little urgency to go ahead and move forward with it.”
Also at the meeting, city council members approved the publication of notices regarding the potential annexation of portions of Center Township and Washington Township. City leaders believe this project will provide opportunities for economic growth. This annexation project, being referred to as the State Road 28 West Annexation, would begin with an outreach program including six public information meetings scheduled for July 2020.
During the next phase in this process, the city council will hold public hearings to discuss the annexation and answer questions from the community. Public meetings will be held at the following locations on the respective dates and times shown: Frankfort Neighborhood Center (Tuesday, July 14, 6 p.m.); Community Schools of Frankfort (Thursday, July 16, 10 a.m.); Monday, July 20 (Frankfort Community Public Library, 6 p.m.); Thursday, July 23 (Frankfort Neighborhood Center, 10 a.m.), Frankfort Community Public Library (Tuesday, July 28, 6 p.m.) and Frankfort Municipal Utilities (Thursday, July 30, 10 a.m.).
Notice of public meetings regarding the proposed annexation will be published in the Frankfort Times on June 12. Notices will also be mailed to each landowner within the annexation territory.
Another important part of this is it doesn’t become law for at least three years.
“That’s why we worked with the county trying to come up with an incentive package within this three-year delay,” said Woods. “Further than that, new developments that might come along will possibly have a five-year agreement if they decide to hook up and be a part of the city.”
Sheets was asked why this was so important.
“I think for economic development,” said Sheets. “It’s very important that the city goes ahead and annexes out there. Of course, we’re going to have to increase our services and we expect that. But we’re going to be prepared to take care of that.”