The City Council in Laurel failed to pass an ordinance last week that would have put future annexations on hold until the City can explore future needs and to develop a plan for future growth. A special meeting was held to consider the proposed ordinance at which many citizens spoke – mostly in favor of the ordinance. A majority of the council members voted in favor of the proposal, but they failed to have the two –thirds majority required to pass it.
The issue was unveiled as a serious concern of citizens in Laurel with the recent announcement of State officials identifying Laurel as the choice Montana city in which to locate a proposed forensic mental health facility. Prospects of the State probably having to annex, into the city, the parcel of land where which they propose to locate the facility in order to connect to utilities, not only stirred city-wide disagreements and debates, but also concerns about how the location could impact future expansion of Laurel and how they can best meet growth needs in general.
The State’s announcement stirred controversy in the community, prompting the organization of a citizen’s group called Laurel C.A.R.E.D. (Community Advocates for Responsible Economic Development), and a petition campaign to recall the mayor, who some perceived as negotiating with the State without the … Read full story here
