WESTOVER, W.Va. — Westover’s council took the first official step to again expand its borders by annexing almost 400 acres including West Ridge at its regular meeting Monday night.
The proposed annexation will add 397.93 acres to Westover. The property stretches from mile marker 153 on Interstate 79 to mile marker 155 – essentially from West Ridge to the Westover exit. It also includes an area behind the Morgantown Mall where the FedEx facility is and in parts, stretches along Lawless Road.
“Together, we are committed to making this a world-class commercial and industrial development that will be an integral part of the regional economic powerhouse arising in Westover along I-79 from the Gateway in the north to the Mall in the south,” Mayor Dave Johnson said.
A portion of the revenue generated by the annex area will be used to address what Johnson called legacy issues in older neighborhoods of Westover. He said the Lynch’s – the developers of West Ridge – have endorsed that approach.
Ryan Lynch said the first retail shops around exit 153 will open in spring 2020, and more businesses will open throughout the year at the Feb. 19 meeting.
The annexation was approved unanimously on first reading and council will vote for to adopt the measure at the councils’ March 18 meeting. Westover residents will be able to voice their opinion on the proposal at that meeting.
Westover will reimburse West Ridge for all the infrastructure it’s built, including parks, common areas, public streets sidewalks, lighting, conduits and other public improvements. It does not include water and sewer facilities.
The reimbursement is limited to a max of $12.5 million, Johnson said. City attorney Tim Stranko said the city will require proof of the actual costs and will conduct an audit. The reimbursement will be paid in quarterly installments by Westover using taxes from the annex area. Exiting revenue will not be used in the agreement.
Stranko said there going forward there is a principal in agreement to annex an area between the Gateway and the annexation area.
In preparation for the annexation, four amendments to the city’s zoning ordinances were adopted. They establish two new zoning types to be used in the annexed area.
Councilman Ralph Mullins congratulated Johnson and Stranko and thanked for their hard work on the annexation project.
Johnson said if successful, this annexation will be the city’s fourth since he took over almost 11 years ago.
Story by Will Dean