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New annexations moving quickly

Havre Daily News/Nikki Carlson

Brothers Eric McLain, left, and Cody McLain of McLain Homes LLC work this morning on leveling walls of a six-unit building of the Rolling Hills housing, located across the street to the south of Havre High School. The building site is on one of two properties currently being annexed by the city.

Havre City Council enjoyed another step in a few simple annexations before Tuesday night's meeting.

The regular 7 p. m. meeting was preceded by a 6:30 p. m. public hearing for anyone to offer input on the annexations of two properties owned by McLain Homes LLC and the District IV Human Resource Development Council, both on the south end of town.

Steve McLain was the only person who came to the hearing. He is constructing housing units for people age 55 and older. Tuesday night he said he had already built a six-plex of rental homes and a duplex that had been sold.

Proposed annexed properties

Another six-plex is being constructed.

The only comment of the hearing came from council member Andrew Brekke, who thanked McLain for his project.

"I think he is providing the city an excellent service, " Brekke said.

The owners of those two properties have explicitly petitioned the city, requesting to be annexed, so their properties can receive the amenities the city offers, such as water usage or garbage pick-up. Their requests diffrentiate them from the property owners who have been involved in the city's annexation lawsuit since 2009.

According to Brekke, who is on the Planning and Development Committee that deals with annexation procedures, the city now just has to make sure it updates the necessary city plans and then passes a resolution of final approval, probably in the next month.

When presented with this smooth process, the present council members enjoyed its relative ease.

"We're so used to thinking we have to wait a year for a next step, " Brekke said. "It will be nice to do it without a lawsuit. "

 

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