Annexations

Future Annexations 

The City of Olathe recently revised its annexation policy based on recommendations from the City Council. We will be holding a series of meetings with residents to inform them of the latest proposals. This will provide an opportunity for public input and feedback. Please refer to this website for further updates.

• Annexation Position Paper Cover Memo
• Annexation Position Paper
• Resolution-revised policy

Information

Updated December 29, 2008--In November 2007 the Olathe City Council adopted a revised annexation policy for the City of Olathe.  This policy recommends that the City initiate the annexation of enclaves of unincorporated property that exist within the City's boundaries.  An enclave is an area of unincorporated property that is surrounded, or largely surrounded, by the City of Olathe. 

On July 15th, the Olathe City Council adopted a resolution indicating that it was considering annexation of properties located in unincorporated enclaves, and establishing a public hearing date of September 16th. A copy of this resolution was mailed to all affected property owners.

On September 16th, the Olathe City Council conducted a public hearing to consider the annexation of unincorporated enclaves. This hearing included a presentation of the service plan prepared for the annexation areas as well as public testimony from everyone wishing to speak. On September 16th, the City Council concluded public testimony and continued the public hearing to October 21st to consider the information and testimony presented. On October 21st, the City Council deliberated the proposed annexation and continued consideration of annexation to January 20th, 2009.  

Date:              Tuesday, Jaunary 20th, 2009
Time:              7:00pm
Location:        Olathe City Hall, 100 E Santa Fe St

Enclave Annexation Service Plan
Open House Slides
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

The Olathe City Council has provided the following direction to staff regarding the consideration of annexation for enclave areas:

• Prepare a "lifestyle" resolution identifying specific ordinance and policy changes that that would assist the transition from County regulations to City regulations for any property annexing into the City.

• Amend the City's annexation policy to prevent or limit the creation of enclave areas in future annexations.

• Approach Johnson County to explore the possibility of extraterritorial zoning as an alternate method to managing growth and development in unincorporated areas at the fringe of incorporated areas.

• Develop a proposal to encourage voluntary annexation into the City of Olathe.

The City Council is expected to provide additional direction prior to the continued public meeting scheduled for January 20th.

Timeline:

• June 18th, June 19th: Public open houses
• June 19th - July 15th: Staff collects public input to present to City Council
• July 15th: City Council considers resolution indicating intent to annex
• July 15th - September 16th: 60-70 days required for public input, informing affected jurisdictions, and review of service plan
• September 16th:  City Council conducted a public hearing to consider annexation. The hearing included a presentation of the service plan for the annexation areas and taking public testimony form all those wishing to speak. The public hearing was continued to October 21st.
• October 21st: Deliberation of the proposed annexation and continuation to January 20th, 2009.
• January 20th:  The City Council will continue deliberations on the proposed annexation.

Ongoing updates and information will continue to be posted to this page. All property owners will be notified by mail of any upcoming public hearings.

For additional information, please contact one of the planners working on this project: Thomas Morefield, David Abrey, or Charisse Deschenes, at (913) 971-8750 or via email at annexationfeedback@olatheks.org.  

About Annexations

Voluntary annexations of unincorporated Johnson County property into the City of Olathe require approval of the City Council and, in specific situations, the approval of the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners. In order for a property to be annexed into the City, the property owner must request via written petition that the City Council annex the property.  Copies of the petition forms (Individual / Partnership / Corporate) are available on the City's website. The petition must be accompanied by the property legal description and a map showing the location of the property.  If the property does not have a boundary that is contiguous with the City boundary, then the Johnson County Board of County Commissioners will also have to approve the annexation of the property. 

The City of Olathe has written agreements with its surrounding cities (DeSoto, Gardner, Lenexa, Overland Park, and Spring Hill). These agreements establish the City's "planning area," which is the City's ultimate boundary limit (Map). The inter-local agreement states that the City of Olathe will not accept annexation petitions from owners of property outside of the City's planning area and that neighboring cities will not accept annexation petitions from the owners of property within the City's planning area.

How to annex into Olathe

If you are interested in annexing your property into the City of Olathe, you will need to complete an Annexation Application form.  This can be downloaded from the City's website on the Development Services' Forms and Guidelines page. In addition, an annexation petition form will need to be completed and returned to the City's Planning Department. The annexation process typically takes thirty (30) days to complete. For more information, please contact Thomas Morefield, Senior Long Range Planner at (913) 971-8676 or tmorefield@olatheks.org.

Recent Annexations