Cortez annexes Heyl property

Cortez annexes Heyl property

April 12, 2001

By Janelle Holden
Journal Staff Writer

On Tuesday night the Cortez City Council annexed its second parcel of land in 2001, bringing the city’s total acreage from 3,531 acres to 3,564.

Cortez’s newest addition is owned by Dr. Robert Heyl, whose 10 annexed acres lie on the west side of North Mildred Road, north of Southwest Memorial Hospital.

"When I first moved here in 1978 I wanted to grow with the city," Heyl told the council. "I didn’t think I would be applying for annexation in 2001."

Although the property is largely undeveloped, Heyl built an office to house his private practice on one acre last year. The council approved Heyl’s request to subdivide the office building from the remaining nine acres, which Heyl plans to eventually develop into a commercial or residential health-care-related facility.

"I think it’s a good addition with the hospital and some of the other clinics right there," agreed Jeff Reinhart, the city’s zoning and building inspector.

The council unanimously approved both the annexation, the subdivision, and amending the city’s comprehensive plan to include the addition. The land will be zoned for multi-family residences.

Before 1997, Reinhart said that city annexations were rare, but in the past few years, the city has annexed the Southern Bluffs subdivision and the fire protection district.

On March 15, the council also approved the Sedona Estates annexation, 23.5 acres that will be developed by Don Etnier for manufactured housing south of the city.

In other council business:

The council set a public hearing on April 24 to discuss a proposed skateboarding ordinance. The ordinance punishes juvenile offenders who bike, skate, scoot, or blade on sidewalks within an area bounded by North, First, Maple and Washington streets will face a fine of up to $300, and on the second offense the offending skateboards, bicycles, scooters, or rollerblades can be confiscated.
Adult offenders will face either 90 days in prison or a fine of up to $300. Council member Jim Herrick pointed out that the city has done its fair share by building a skate park, and now "it’s time that they get off the sidewalks."
The council’s character trait of the month is forgiveness, defined as, "Clearing the record of those who have wronged me and not holding a grudge." City manager Hal Shepherd explained to the council that holding grudges against others can cause health problems.
After holding two public hearings, the council approved two measures regulating city planning procedures. The first ordinance passed gives the council the right to review all city infill development, including "use by rights." The second ordinance put in writing the city’s long-time procedures for encroachment permits. No members of the public commented on either ordinance.