In Jefferson, a group opposed to the annexation of land for a Wal-Mart Supercenter expects to take the matter back to court, perhaps as early as today.
Last month, a Jefferson County judge rejected a request from the Coalition for a Better Jefferson for an injunction to stop the City Council from voting on the annexation. The judge said that because the council's final annexation vote might not take place until January, the citizens group failed to meet a statutory test, that the harm they were trying to head off was imminent.
Also last month, the Jefferson City Council denied a direct legislation petition from the coalition that asked the city to enact an ordinance requiring that an environmental impact study, a traffic study, an infrastructure impact study and a broad community impact study be done prior to any annexation of 15 acres or larger.
The council denied the petition, saying the coalition sought to control an administrative, rather than legislative, action. By state law, the council said, the coalition can't dictate how city officials go about their daily work of preparing for an annexation.
Coalition member John Rhiel said this week that, with it clear that the Plan Commission and City Council are continuing on with annexation votes, "we have no choice but to go back to court" to again seek an injunction.
Published: 9:53 AM 12/12/05
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