Opinion ID: 1727552
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Path of Batesville's Growth

Text: ¶ 16. The Chancellor concluded that [i]t is doubtful that reasonable minds can differ that the proposed area of annexation is within the path of growth of the city. In fact, undisputed evidence shows that Batesville's development has predominantly moved towards the east, where the current disputed areas of annexation lie. The Chancellor's decision related to the path of growth is not manifestly erroneous. Nevertheless, it should be noted that Batesville's current undisputed boundaries do not extend as far east as the E½-Corridor 6 South Area, while they do encompass the areas just north and south of the Brewer Road Area. ¶ 17. In determining whether a proposed annexation area is within the path of growth of a city, we consider whether the proposed annexation area is adjacent to the city, accessible by public streets, roads, and highways, and has a common community of interest with the city. In the present case, the Brewer Road Area fulfills these criteria, but the E½-Corridor 6 South Area is still comparatively remote from the other annexed areas. Therefore, this factor also tends to favor a modification of the annexation to include the Brewer Road Area, but to exclude the E½-Corridor 6 South Area.