The process to annex in 14.66 acres off Cameron Farm Drive, a private road, between Fir Street and Hendrickson Road began on Monday.

Dave Cameron, the annexation applicant, said he is looking to the future of development in Sequim.

“Eventually it makes sense,” he said. “The future is development and if you have that process (of annexation) it makes it easier.”

In order to begin the annexation process, Cameron must own at least 60 percent of the valuation of the properties being annexed. His mother Shirley owns 65.7 percent with the rest, 1.57 acres, owned by Timothy and Barbara Owens who have a house on the property.  

Cameron said he has not spoken with them and is leaving that to his agent but he doesn’t foresee why they wouldn’t want to be in the city.

“There’s always a fear of being in the city limits but in this case it’s inevitable,” he said.

“It really doesn’t affect them. They wouldn’t have to sign up for the city services of sewer and water. They are on a septic and well.”

The Owens were unavailable for comment.

Jack Dodge, Sequim senior planner, said the only people who can object to the annexation are those living in the proposed area. Once Cameron files the petition papers it will go to the Sequim Planning Commission to make a recommendation to the city council on whether or not to approve the annexation. Sequim last annexed a property in 2008.

Erik Erichsen voted against the annexation process beginning because he wanted two more chances to review the process and discuss it with fellow councilors.

This proposed area falls in the urban growth area, which is the only way the city can annex in new properties.

Dodge said even though the Owens own their property, it’s considered a logical boundary for the annexation because if Cameron’s property were to be the only site annexed it would create an island, which isn’t allowed. Also, Cameron Farm Drive, a private road, sits on top of a 30-foot right of way for the city that eventually could be a connector between Hendrickson Road and Fir Street.

Dodge added that the city doesn’t have to contact the Owens about the annexation since Cameron initiated but the Boundary Review Board will contact them about the process.