By Howard Fischer | Capitol Media Services via Arizona Daily Sun
The state House gave preliminary approval Thursday to legislation designed to prevent some small towns from blocking larger ones springing up on their border.
HB 2088 would create an exception to existing laws that give cities and towns veto right over nearby incorporations. In essence, the bill says that if the proposed community is larger than the existing town, that town can’t stop its incorporation.
The measure is specifically aimed at allowing for incorporation of San Tan Valley. Rep. Eddie Farnsworth, R-Gilbert, told colleagues that the unincorporated area in northeast Pinal County has exploded, with more than 100,000 people now living there.
