CHARLESTON, W.Va. – After receiving unanimous support in the West Virginia Senate and a 94 to 5 affirmative vote in the House of Delegates Senate Bill 209 has been signed by Governor Jim Justice.
The doesn’t completely remove the minor boundary adjustment from state law, but now requires consent from all freeholders and businesses in the area proposed to be annexed. If one person or business would not provide consent the plan could not move forward.
In the spring of 2019, Morgantown officials wanted to use the minor boundary adjustment law to annex 3.9 square miles, more than 12,000 people and more than 350 businesses. A series of information session were held where many community members expressed opposition.
Local developers like Dave Biafore opposed the plan and says Senate Bill 209 is good for the rights of people.
“It’s a good bill, it doesn’t mean you can’t annex it just means there’s no forced annexation,”Biafore said,”People’s rights are protected.”
The opposition in Morgantown was led by F.A.I.R. (Forced Annexation Isn’t Right) and many other business leaders.
“We’re proud of the help and the work that everybody put in this, from Mr. Kepple to Kyla Cook, the lawyers involved, to all the parties and stakeholders.”
Both sides of the issue acknowledge lingering tension, but Biafore is preparing to launch a multi-million dollar project with Morgantown, the Mon County Development Authority and WVU.
“if they don’t want to work with us, they don’t want to work with us,”Biafore said,”We can make things happen, we can pay taxes, we can create jobs and we can create something nice. It may not be Disney World but it will be Morgantown Disney.”