Four private parties approached the Warsaw city officials last month seeking voluntary annexation of approximately 44 acres. The hope was that the city would accept the properties for the purpose of allowing additional residential housing.  (See related)

Last night, Warsaw Common Council voted on the proposal and approved the annexation after hearing from developer Kevin Biggs, whose Roanoke-based company has already developed residential areas including Tigers Retreat, Harrison Landing and Paths of Deerfield.

Although no one spoke in opposition of the plan, the city cannot yet make final approval of the annexation or approve a fiscal plan establishing the policies that would provide city water and sewer and other services to the area. The final vote will come at the council’s next regular meeting – to be held at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 21, due to Monday being Martin Luther King Jr. Day.

In accepting the acreage into the city limits, the expenses will be “minimal,” said councilman Charlie Smith. Per the fiscal plan drafted by Warsaw City Planner Jeremy Skinner, police and fire protection are already being provided to the area, which is located at the northeast area of Old Road 30 and CR 225 East. City sewer and water is already planned to be extended to that area within the next 3 years.

Biggs said residential development would commence immediately upon the final annexation approval and lots would be delivered by late this summer or early fall.