Opinion ID: 1564070
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 30

Heading: Factor 2: Whether the PAA is reasonably within Jackson's path of growth.

Text: ¶ 83. This Court has enumerated the following factors the trial court may or may not consider in determining whether the path of growth is reasonable: (1) spillover development in annexation area; (2) annexation area immediately adjacent to City; (3) limited area available for expansion; (4) interconnection by transportation corridors; (5) increased urban development in annexation area; (6) geography; and (7) subdivision development. Winona, 879 So.2d at 977. The most important factors are whether the PAA is immediately adjacent to the city; the accessibility of the PAA by city streets; and spillover development. Id. (citing Enlargement & Extension of the Mun. Boundaries of Meridian v. City of Meridian, 662 So.2d 597, 612-13 (Miss.1995)). Furthermore, a city need only show that the areas desired to be annexed are in `a' path of growth ... [not] `the most urgent or even the city's primary path of growth.' Id. (quoting In re Extension of the Boundaries of Hattiesburg; Lamar County v. City of Hattiesburg ( Hattiesburg ), 840 So.2d 69, 86-87 (Miss.2003)). ¶ 84. Jackson asserts it has historically grown in an outward fashion from the Pearl River, and the Byram area is within its path of growth. Jackson also argues that it presented evidence of spillover growth to the trial court, and the PAA is immediately adjacent to the city limits. Furthermore, Jackson asserts Interstate 55, Terry Road, Old Byram Road, and Siwell Road connect Jackson to the PAA. Jackson also argues it has limited areas in which to expand, and traffic counts have increased in the PAA. Lastly, Jackson argues it has invested approximately $73,000,000 in the Byram area. ¶ 85. BI contends Jackson's lack of residential growth and declining population indicate the capital city is not growing. The Objectors likewise contend that the subdivision growth in the four-square-mile area is not in proportion to growth in Jackson's city limits. ¶ 86. The chancellor cited expert testimony that Jackson historically has grown in an outward fashion and will continue to grow in the same pattern. The chancellor relied on testimony that the PAA has suburban spillover growth as evidenced by the extension of utilities into the PAA, the extension of roads and transportation corridors from Jackson into the PAA, and the style of the development occurring within the PAA. The chancellor also took into account the fact that the revised annexation area is immediately adjacent to the city limits. The chancellor found new subdivisions had developed on the fringe of Jackson's city limits with neighborhoods literally split between Jackson and unincorporated Hinds County. ¶ 87. The chancellor's opinion clearly shows that he considered the three most important factors: adjacency, accessibility, and spillover growth. See Winona, 879 So.2d at 977. The chancellor correctly found that Jackson's economic investment in the PAA supports annexation of the revised area. This Court previously has found that the extension of water and sewer services evidences a path of growth. See Hattiesburg, 840 So.2d at 86; In re Enlargement & Extension of the Mun. Boundaries of Madison v. City of Madison, 650 So.2d 490, 497 (Miss.1995). While Jackson has invested infrastructure in much of the PAA/PIA, this investment does not justify annexation of the entire PAA. The chancellor appropriately considered Jackson's path of growth in light of the competing petition for Byram's incorporation. The chancellor had an opportunity to view the PAA, and he found the four-square-mile area to be an extension of Jackson. We conclude that the chancellor's findings as to this factor are supported by substantial evidence.