The City of Belton will study annexation of almost 600 acres just north of the extra-territorial jurisdiction (ETJ) of Salado as part of its Growth Management Framework.

The Belton city council on Aug. 23 considered authorizing preparation of a Growth Management Study that will include seven areas that “have been identified to warrant further analysis for possible annexation,” according to City Manager Sam Listi.

Two of those areas expand annexation along I-35 south of the Lampasas River.

Annexation Study Area 3 contains approximately 283.9 acres within the Belton ETJ “located south of the intersection of IH-35 and the Lampasas River.” According to city documents, the tract extends along the west side of IH-35 measuring approximately 1,000 feet in width and would add 1,000 feet additional on the west side of IH-35 to the current 1,000 feet total city limit width centered on IH-35. The tract extends southward along IH-35 south of Amity Road and adjoins the Salado ETJ line.

Annexation Study Area 4 contains approximately 324.88 acresand is located wouth of the intersection of IH-35 and the Lampasas River. The tract extends along the east side of IH-35, measuring approximately 1,000 feet in width and would add 1,000 additional feet to the current 1,000 feet total city limit width centered on IH-35. The tract extends southward along IH-35 south of Amity Road and adjoins the Salado ET line.

According to city documents, a proposed annexation schedule for the seven annexation areas began Aug. 23. The council will conduct public hearings and direct service plans preparations on Sept. 13. Service Plans and Annexations public hearings will be conducted Oct. 25 and Nov. 1, according to the city documents. The city could adopt the annexation on Dec. 13.

Click here to see a map of Bell County cities and their ETJ boundaries.

A map of area 3 and area 4 can be found here.

Click here for the Belton Growth Management study areas.

Since annexing the original 1,000 feet wide path centered on IH-35 south from the Lampasas River intersection to the northern boundary of Salado’s ETJ in late 2004, the city of Belton has not provided those properties with sewer or other municipal utility services. Those properties remain on onsite septic systems.

In November 2004, the city of Belton began annexation of the 1,000  foot swath of land south of Lampasas River. At the same time, it annexed 103 acres along and on both sides of West Amity Road, beginning at the intersection of I-35 and extending 3,600 feet and another 127 acres of East Amity Road extending one mile from the Interstate.