CJ’s Sara Burrows ponders where annexation reform will from here in light of the recent Superior Court ruling that petitioning involuntary annexation was unconstitutional. Lexington was one of five cities challenging state law that allowed annexation only with consent of the majority of landowners.
There are a couple of scenarios, according to Lenoir Rep. Stephen LaRoque. One is Judge Shannon Joseph’s ruling will not stand in appeals court. The other is the General Assembly could pass legislation —which LaRoque tells CJ he wil introduce — during the upcoming short session that would repeal the annexations the cities sought to preserve in the lawsuit.
Stay tuned.
