Why doesn't Odessa annex it?

[Mark Senior]

To my knowledge Kingwood was a large master planned community not a city. The annexation laws have changed in the last 5 - 10 years in several ways, you now have to let an area you would like to annex three years notice. The area would have time to decide if it wants to incorporate are be annexed. The mass annexations of Houston and Fort Worth have and others have at least been slowed down. Although Houston for some reason has never annexed the 1960 area which looks like it is in the city, side note.

[whitegiant]

And why do you think they didnt want odessa to grow in population when the boom was going on they could probably easily be pushing 150,000 but they seemed to not want the growth they didnt build new houses or anything that could keep up with all the people wanting to move there at that time.

[KerrTown]

Originally Posted by Mark-Tyler is Special

To my knowledge Kingwood was a large master planned community not a city. The annexation laws have changed in the last 5 - 10 years in several ways, you now have to let an area you would like to annex three years notice. The area would have time to decide if it wants to incorporate are be annexed. The mass annexations of Houston and Fort Worth have and others have at least been slowed down. Although Houston for some reason has never annexed the 1960 area which looks like it is in the city, side note.

When the Democrats come to power in Texas I believe that they will definitely make an exception for Houston within its ETJ as "appreciation."

The Champions (and Copperfield) area definitely looks more Houston than Alief with that traffic on 1960. I couldn't believe I was in the unincorporated county while sitting in traffic on 1960 that dark evening 2-3 weeks ago. I think it hasn't been touched since it is a very Republican area and the Democratic city councilors fear a turnover.

When Houston finally annexes the Katy Suburbs (North & South Katy and Cinco Ranch) there can be consistent traffic signal design. Within the last 5 years, Houston has favored the Fort Bend streetlight design over the traditional Harris County 4-poles-and-string.

[case44]

Originally Posted by KerrTown

The Champions (and Copperfield) area definitely looks more Houston than Alief with that traffic on 1960. I couldn't believe I was in the unincorporated county while sitting in traffic on 1960 that dark evening 2-3 weeks ago. I think it hasn't been touched since it is a very Republican area and the Democratic city councilors fear a turnover.

I wondered if that area would ever be annexed. Now I see why it hasn't.

Originally Posted by 17days

Possibly, West Odessa doesn't want annexation. I lived there years back. 1976 to 1982.
I graduated from high school, then went to work in the oil patch. Roughnecks made big bucks
in those days. And yes...I was West Odessa trailer trash. Life was good. Then "all of Odessa" died.
Remember the wait for a UHaul Truck? Getting outa town was tough. Closed convenience stores,
restaurants etc. A ghost town within months.

But Odessa has come back. It helps when neighboring Midland has seen small growth spurts and the connection with State Highway 191.

[Lucidus]

Well now, rumor has it that the annexation is going to occur. The city is planning to annex along I-20 all the way out to Penwell, including much of/most of West Odessa. I have to admit, I never thought the city would do this. Wow! I wonder if the city is planning on annexing any of the other unincorporated residential areas.

[mpgerma]

Originally Posted by KerrTown

The Champions (and Copperfield) area definitely looks more Houston than Alief with that traffic on 1960. I couldn't believe I was in the unincorporated county while sitting in traffic on 1960 that dark evening 2-3 weeks ago.

Don't forget 1960 around willowbrook mall, including willowbrook mall, has been annexed by Houston.

[Cathy4017]

Originally Posted by Lucidus

Well now, rumor has it that the annexation is going to occur. The city is planning to annex along I-20 all the way out to Penwell, including much of/most of West Odessa. I have to admit, I never thought the city would do this. Wow! I wonder if the city is planning on annexing any of the other unincorporated residential areas.

Some of those out in West Odessa are NOT going to be happy about this, I'm sure...

[Lucidus]

Originally Posted by Cathy4017

Some of those out in West Odessa are NOT going to be happy about this, I'm sure...

True, but I think some of them might welcome annexation. There are water supply troubles in much of West Odessa now, some areas are on the City's water system but I think they pay more for water than Odessa residents do. So annexation might help. Also they will get more police coverage and fire department coverage. That would be good. The big problem will be the sewer system, as far as I know there are no sewer lines anywhere in West Odessa, but Odessa residents are charge separately for sewage so they probably wouldn't be charged for that until the lines are put in. Also, many parts of West Odessa could use a good clean up. Applying city ordnances to the area would probably improve property values for most West Odessans even if they don't like it.

[Cathy4017]

Yes, I can imagine the water problems. Some of the properties west of Midland off of 60 had their wells drying up or so low that there was very little pressure. They finally had to form a water district that has been in place only a short time after a number of years of work.

Some in West Odessa will see their taxes/COL go up, of course, but there are tradeoffs, as you mentioned.

[Lucidus]

Well nevermind, it turns out there will probably not be an annexation of West Odessa. There will be a thin strip of land annexed along I-20 out to Penwell but that is it. The ETJ of Odessa will increase since the city has over 100,000 inhabitants now and will cover most of West Odessa, but there is no plan for annexation.