A satellite annexation is a type of voluntary annexation (not
involuntary) that permits local governments to gobble up areas that are
not contiguous to its borders.
On Wednesday, the House Local Government II Committee is considering an annexation bill
that would permit the town of Maggie Valley to satellite annex an area
that is beyond the normally required three mile limit.
This is typical of the legislature, particularly in the area of
satellite annexations. It passes local bills to exempt local
governments from restrictions in the annexation law.
Even if the
annexation law were amended, the legislature always could create
exceptions for local communities whenever it wants. This is
precisely why a constitutional amendment is needed
to protect against eminent domain abuse–the legislature would ignore
any statutory protections when it benefits their political interests.
A constitutional amendment would prohibit the legislature from
ignoring protections from eminent domain abuse–the only way the
legislature could get around constitutional protections would be to
pass another amendment, which would be very difficult.
