In a victory for forced annexation opponents, The Rocky Mount Telegram reports that on Monday a
judge in Rocky Mount ordered that the city provide additional information to
citizens who are being forcibly annexed. The order will delay the annexation, require another public hearing and many are hoping, will stop the
annexation altogether. 

Seems like
the city did not adhere to the requirements determining the land uses of the
property they are trying to annex ? claiming some agricultural and residential
land is commercial when it?s not and violating a law intended to protect rural farmland.   For now, the city of Rocky Mount has to furnish hundreds of
property owners with additional maps and information about the annexation and
hold another public hearing within the next 45 days.  

Several good bills (here and here) were introduced during the last legislative
session that would have reformed forced annexation and were discussed here and
here and here. Daren proposed reform ideas here and explained annexation
here.   

Property rights advocates across the state will continue to
fight against forced annexation and hope for legislative changes when the
General Assembly re-convenes in May 2010. 
In the meantime, what legislators chose to ignore ? real annexation
reform – may begin to happen through the courts or with county commissions.