MN HF3183

Defines "urban or suburban in character" as any area, property, or collection of properties where actual or planned residential densities exceed one unit per 2-1/2 acres on average, or where actual or planned institutional, governmental, commercial, or industrial development exists, excluding rural industrial development appropriate for agricultural, forestry, mining, or energy production industries.

Adds 18 factors for presiding administrative law judges to consider when deciding annexation petitions, including population growth, land quantity, natural terrain, boundary contiguity, development patterns, transportation networks, land use controls, governmental services, environmental conditions, fiscal impact, school district effects, and previous annexation petitions from property owners.

Requires judges to order annexation if finding that the subject area is or is about to become urban or suburban in character, or that municipal government is required to protect public health, safety, and welfare, or that annexation is in the subject area's best interest.

Permits judges to deny annexation if the increase in revenues bears no reasonable relation to benefits conferred, or if annexation by an adjacent municipality would better serve residents or would cause undue hardship to the remaining township.

Allows judges to alter proposed annexation boundaries to include only urban or suburban property, follow physical features, exclude property better served by another unit of government, or improve area symmetry.