Tiffin Comprehensive Plan – Updated 2018

Land Use Annexation Cities generally annex land to provide areas for growth, or for a particular public benefit such as managing land development around the city. For example, the city may desire to annex land at major entrances into the community to manage and/or influence the type of land uses that may develop there. Annexation may also occur if a municipality desires to prepare the area for development. The annexation process generally occurs when it is in the public interest to maintain local management over a parcel or tract of land. Annexation may be achieved voluntarily or involuntarily (with or without the explicit consent or request of the land owner). Annexation for the City of Tiffin will likely be needed during the life of this plan due to the projected growth of the metro area. When considering annexation, the city must be able to pay for the services required by the residents in the new territory. Because residential land does not necessarily “pay for itself,” meaning the money received through property taxes may not be enough to pay for the services required, the fiscal context of annexation should be carefully examined. Services may include sewer, water, snow removal, road maintenance, police, and fire protection, garbage removal, and other costs generally associated with city services. The benefits of properly planned annexation include coherence and efficiency in the development of a community. Through orderly planned annexation, growth would then be encouraged in areas where services could be most readily extended, therefore minimizing costs. In addition, proper public input from citizens of the city and the areas to be annexed must be sought. The city should establish an annexation committee to foster communication with landowners located within the growth areas. This committee would work with neighboring property owners to ensure that the owner’s plans for the property are being met and that voluntary annexation will occur within the scope of the comprehensive plan. City of Tiffin, City of Tiffin 2018 Comprehensive PlanComprehensive Plan 51