Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-06-08
Approved March 10. 1904.

ADDEONeQ htICu ~, i"VE.
/. Be it enacted by the general as
sembly Of Virginia. That whenever 1t
IS deemed desirable by any city or
town to annex any territory to such
city or town, its council shall declare
by an ordinance. which shall be pass
ell by a recorded affirmative vote OF
majority of all the members elected
to the council. or to each branch
thereof, when there are two, that II
desires to annex certain territory, ana
shall accurately describe therein the
metes and bounds Of the territory
proposed to be acquired. and set torth
the necessity for or eXpedlency CT an
nexation, and tho terms and condl-
tions upon which it desires to annex
such territory, as well as the provls-
ions which are made for its future
mana agement and improvement. And
Whenever ii is deemed desirable by
any outlying territory adjacent TO
town or city. that such territory
should be annexed to such town or
city, fifty-one per cent. CT its qualified
voters shall petition the Judge OF the
circuit court, setting forth accurately
the mc,cs and bounds desired TO be
annexed to such city or town. and
Shall give such notices TO the city
council as arc hereinafter prescribed
to be given BY the city when the city
takes the initiative, and the city and
county shall have the same rights,
POWERS. duties. and privileges rela-
tivcly when the said voters file the
petitions rs are hereinafter provided
in cases where the city files such pc
tition.
.. The city Or town shall give no.
tice 10 the Commonwealth S attorney
and the board of supervisors OF the
county or counties wherein such ter
ritory lies. thar il will. On q given day
not less than thirty days thereafter,
move the circuit court OF the county
wherein the greater part OF such ter
ritory lies, or the Judge who may IL
designated 10 hear tie case, TO MAKE
an order authorizing and declaring
the annexation provided for III the
said ordinance. with which notice
shall be served certified copy OF
such ordinance. \ copy of the said
notice and ordinance shall be publish
ed at least once a week for four sue
lished in such city or town, and
where there is no newspaper pub
lished therein. then i'll a newspaper
published in some neighboring city
CT town having circulation in tic
county or counties whose territory is
to be affected. The notice and ordi-
nance, after being served as afore-
said. shall be returned TO the clerk oi
said circuit court. and when the pub
ication thereof is completed. of which:
the certificate of the owner, editor CT
manager Of the new spaper publishing
the same shall be proof, the case
shall be docketed for hearing. Any
county whose territory is affected by
the proceedings. or any persons al
fected thereby, may appear and make
themselves parties defendant to the
case. and be represented by counse!.
The fees for the service of papers
herein required shall be the same az
those prescribed by law for similar
service and whenever a city or town
asks for the annexation OF any such
territory, said fees and all other court
costs shall be paid by said city or
town except such as may be incurred
termine by whom said appellate costs
may be paid.
8. The court, without jury, shall
be held and presided over by judge
Of some circuit court OF this State
other than the circuit in which either
the city desiring the territory to be
annexed or the said territory to be
annexed lies. and remote therefrom.
said judge TO be designated by the
governor of this State. and the court
or such judge in vacation, shall hear
the case upon evidence introduced in
the manner in which evidence is in
troduced in common law cases. and
shall ascertain and determine the nc
cessity for or eXpediency of annexa-
ton. and whether the terms. and con-
ditions set forth in said ordinance
are reasonable and fair, and whether
fair and Just provisions are made Tor
the future management and improve
ment of such territory; and If the
court or Judge shall be satisfied OF
the necessity or eXpediency of such
annexation. and that such conditions
and provisions are reasonable and
fair, an order shall be entered provid-
luS loE lEe duueAdllOL VI 'eAiH
tory But if the court or Judge sha!l
be of the opinion that no annexation
is necessary or eXped!ent, the motlcn
| to annex shall be dismissed. In eV''ry
case Of annexation. such city Of town
shall assume and provide for the re-
endorsement of the county or coun-
ties of such just proportion of any
existing debt Of such county or cOun-
| ties as may be determined in said
| proceeding. and also for compensa-
tion TO any county for any school
house or other public building OF
such county located within the an
nexed territory. which shall not be
reserved in the proceeding TO the
county. If, however. the court OIL
Judge shall be Of opinion that the an
nexation Of only a part of such terri
tory is necessary or e3pedient. or tha
said ordinance does not contain fail
and reasonable terms, or If it shall b'
OF the opinion that more territorr!
should be annexed than was describ
ed in the metes and bounds original
ly set forth. it shall enter prope
order. embodying what it deems rea