Court Opinion

ID: 9709232
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-26 03:43:16.983175+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:22:47.125572
License: Public Domain

KIRSCH, Judge,
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent. Although the merits of a plan of annexation may be challenged only through remonstrance proceedings, declaratory judgment proceedings are appropriate to challenge the jurisdiction of the annexing authority and its compliance with legally imposed conditions precedent for valid annexation. Langbehn v. Town of Merrillville (1980), Ind.App., 413 N.E.2d 680. By their declaratory judgment action, the landowners challenge the jurisdiction of the City of Fort Wayne to adopt an annexation ordinance which delays its implementation for almost eight years. Such a challenge may be brought by way of declaratory proceedings. I would reverse the trial court's order of dismissal.