Page 63 - Greensboro, NC-GSO 2040 Comprehensive Plan

Map 4: Growth Tier Maps

The City is able to annex property outside of the current municipal limits under Annexation and Service Policy Overview
certain circumstances. This process is guided by the City of Greensboro’s adopted
policy for water and sanitary sewer service, “Outside the Corporate Limits,” which Property Located Inside Growth Tier 1
became effective April 3, 2012 and was amended on May 20, 2014. Growth Tier 1 of this Plan is the area where the City is currently able to provide all
City services including water and sewer service based on the location of existing
The Growth Tier Map shows areas outside Greensboro’s city limits but inside infrastructure such as roads, fire stations, and water and sewer pipes. Before
the area in which the City can legally annex property and extend water and connecting to water or sewer service, property located within Growth Tier 1 will
sewer services; this is called the Water Sewer Service Area (WSSA). Three tiers are be annexed into the City. All projects that connect to City water and sewer will be
delineated based on the cost to extend City services to the area, primarily water and required to comply with the City’s Comprehensive Plan and land development
sewer, solid waste collection, and Police and Fire protection, as well as long-term regulations.
maintenance of City facilities. In Growth Tier 1, due to the nearby presence of
existing City infrastructure, the City is able to extend services currently, if an Property Located Outside of Growth Tier 1
annexation is requested; Tiers 2 and 3 will require significant City investment to Water and/or sewer service may be allowed outside Growth Tiers 2 and 3 provided
serve. property can be annexed immediately.

Water and sanitary sewer service, as well as other City services from public safety If property cannot be annexed immediately, water and/or sewer service can be
to parks to library facilities, are necessary components of urban development. allowed in Growth Tiers 2 and 3 under specific circumstances:
The City needs to be able to expand its tax base in order to meet the costs of
providing and extending these services, but this process must take place in an 1. Economic development projects meeting criteria outlined in the WSSA policy.
intentional and methodical fashion to ensure efficient and effective delivery of
City services. It is the City’s policy to extend water and sewer services only to 2. Extensions determined by City Council to address significant public necessity.
those areas that can be immediately annexed.
3. Properties adjacent to existing water lines but not annexable that meet standards
specified in the adopted WSSA policy.

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