Tierra Buena annexation issue heading toward polls

A contentious Tierra Buena annexation could go to voters in June after the Sutter County Elections Department validated 31 percent of the protest signatures.

Hearings on the 395-acre Tatla/Walker reorganization proposal have drawn people from both sides of the annexation issue. Opponents of the annexation from Sutter County into Yuba City did not want to see the growth and increased traffic, while supporters said it's part of Yuba City becoming a bigger and better place, with more restaurants and shopping. Some in favor of the annexation also want city water service.

Enough signatures against the annexation checked out - 31 percent of registered voters - to put the matter in the hands of voters, according to a report written in advance of the Sutter County Local Agency Formation Commission meeting slated for Thursday. Protest signatures from 129 of the 415 registered voters in the annexation area were validated by the Elections Department.

The Sutter County Local Agency Formation Commission will likely request that Sutter County supervisors call an election. The commission will consider a resolution Thursday.

A staff report said an election is mandated because the percentage of voters filing valid protests was greater than 25 percent of the registered voters in the annexation area but less than 50 percent. If more than half had opposed it, the annexation would have been canceled.

The report proposed that the annexation be placed on the June 6 ballot because the Feb. 3 deadline for mail balloting has already passed.

Costs of an election would have to be paid by the City of Yuba City, according to the report. Cost figures were unavailable Monday.

The annexation by Yuba City was prompted by developers' interest in building on 30 acres off Elmer Avenue, which residents describe as a narrow country road that cannot handle added traffic. City officials increased the proposed annexation's size for more logical boundaries.

Appeal-Democrat reporter John Dickey can be reached at 749-4711. You may e-mail him at jdickey@appeal-democrat.com.