The City of Magnolia held the first public hearing regarding five proposed lots for annexation Jan. 10. The public hearing gave community members a chance to discuss the possible areas of annexation in the city.

Magnolia is working to expand its city limits, as five pieces of property have been selected for annexation.

One of the five proposed areas include extending the city limits from Magnolia Church of Christ southwestwardly to include all county baseball fields and the riding arena and south along FM 1774 to Friendship Lane to include the county staging area.

Another area is a tract located northeast of Melton Street between Acker Street, running southeast to Magnolia Ridge. The area is approximately 2,500 feet along Melton Street, 3,000 feet on the southeast side, 3,000 feet on the north side and 1,500 feet on the west side. This property is surrounded on all sides by the city limits.

The third area is a tract on the northwest corner of Magnolia Ridge. The property is 800 feet by 1,000 feet also surrounded by the city limits.

The city sewer plant located on the east side of Nichols Sawmill Road, which is about 400 feet by 800 feet, is another proposed piece of property for annexation.

Finally, a 1,800 feet by 400 feet tract on the south side of Nichols Sawmill Road, known as Anderson’s Horse Auction is a proposed lot for annexation.

Only two citizens spoke during the public hearing requesting clarification on what the annexation meant to the area and why it was proposed.

Mayor Todd Kana explained that the city was looking to expand its city limits to include more commercial businesses, in an effort to increase the sales tax revenue. In the future the city may look to annex residential areas to increase the city’s population.

The second public hearing is set for Jan. 24.

Following the public hearing, a regular city council meeting was held in which two resolutions were passed by council supporting the development of new apartment complexes in Magnolia.

A resolution passed, which supports the development of an apartment complex to be known as Timberbrook Village. The complex is proposed to be located on the east side of Nichols Sawmill Road between Sarah Lane and Sanders Street.

A second resolution passed, which supports the development of an apartment complex to be known as Timberedge Village. The complex is proposed to be located on the east side of Magnolia Ridge Boulevard at the entrance of Magnolia Ridge subdivision on FM 1488.

David Koogler, Mark-Dana Corporation President and developer of Magnolia Trails retirement facility, has been working on plans for Timberbrook Village since July 2011. However, Koogler had stated that funds were not available to begin construction at that time.

According to Koogler, Timberbrook Village apartments would be suited for low-to-moderate income single families.

As of press time, the Tribune did not know what Koogler’s plans were for Timberedge Village. However, Ecomic Development Coordinator Deborah Rose Miller said that only one complex would be constructed pending grant funds.

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