Opinion ID: 901103
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 5

Heading: Contiguous Territory

Text: [¶ 19.] The applicants contend that the circuit court erred in finding that the territory annexed was contiguous. Voluntary annexation under SDCL 9-4-1 requires that the territory to be annexed must be contiguous. The applicants argue that the territory in question is not contiguous to the City of Spearfish. This argument fails in both law and fact. To be contiguous, the annexed territory must: (1) be contiguous to the city, (2) encompass a community of interests, and (3) constitute a natural and reasonable inclusion. Anderson, 2000 SD 77 at ¶ 10, 612 N.W.2d at 292; Krebs v. City of Rapid City, 364 N.W.2d 128, 130 (S.D.1985); Big Sioux Township v. Streeter, 272 N.W.2d 924 (S.D.1978). [¶ 20.] Under the statute, the term contiguous includes territory separated from the municipality by reason of intervening ownership of land used as a golf course or any land owned by the State of South Dakota or any subdivisions thereof. SDCL 9-4-1. Our review of cases in other jurisdictions reveals that contiguous has been interpreted to mean adjacent, adjoining, or having a substantial common boundary. Anderson, 2000 SD 77 at ¶ 12, 612 N.W.2d at 293 (citations omitted). [¶ 21.] Here, the annexed property physically adjoins the city. The Lawrence County Airport, land owned by a subdivision of the State of South Dakota, shares a common border with the City of Spearfish. SDCL 9-4-1. Further, the total length of the annexed territory from east to west is more than three miles, and the depth of the territory north to south ranges from one-half mile to one and one-half miles. This fact defeats the applicants' contention that this is the type of annexation commonly referred to as a corridor, strip, shoestring, or a long lasso, disallowed by a majority of courts, including this Court. Anderson, 2000 SD 77 at ¶ 13, 612 N.W.2d at 293 (citations omitted). In sum, we conclude that the territory is contiguous to the city, shares a common border of reasonable length and width, lacks any significant physical barriers or irregular shapes, and has no unjustified narrow corridors, enclaves, or islands of unannexed territory. [¶ 22.] Next, we consider whether the annexation encompasses a community of interests and is natural and reasonable. The city documented in detail its consideration of the voluntary annexation petition and its finding that the annexation encompassed a community of interests. In addition, the petitioners stated that we share a common bond and community of interest with the City of Spearfish and wish to be contributing members of the community. [¶ 23.] In Big Sioux Township, 272 N.W.2d at 926, this Court wrote: [a] natural and reasonable annexation may result from the following justifications: a need resulting from the orderly growth and development of the municipal corporation; an outflow of benefits including services and facilities to the outlying territory without a corresponding inflow of monetary contribution for such benefits resulting in an uncompensated burden to the municipal corporation; or an expressed need that the outlying territory has for services and facilities that the municipal corporation is able and willing to provide. See also Krebs, 364 N.W.2d at 130-31. Here, the city found that the annexation was natural and reasonable, since it was compatible with Lawrence County's comprehensive plan. Moreover, the annexed territory is within the boundaries of the Spearfish Fire Department fire protection district, Spearfish School District 40-2, and the retail trade and medical service area of the city. The annexation encompasses a community of interests and is natural and reasonable. [¶ 24.] The applicants contend that the annexation improperly excluded a long established residential development located adjacent to the airport property. This argument might be compelling if the city initiated the annexation. But this is a voluntary annexation, and the residents of that development did not seek to be annexed. We conclude that the city did not exceed its jurisdiction and authority in approving the annexation petition. The annexed territory is contiguous, encompasses a community of interests, and is a natural and reasonable inclusion to the City of Spearfish.