Section 15.19 Interpretation of Contiguous and Compact

• Library: Local Government Deskbook (2017 Ed.)

I. (§15.19) Interpretation of Contiguous and Compact

In Dodson v. City of Wentzville, 216 S.W.3d 173 (Mo. App. E.D. 2007), the Eastern District weighed in on the standard for when property to be annexed is contiguous and compact to the annexing jurisdiction. Wentzville condemned real property located between the City and a strip of land that the City intended to voluntarily annex under § 71.014, now RSMo 2016. The City wanted to annex the property to continue sanitation and sewer lines to serve other adjacent property. Dodson, the owner of the condemned property in issue, challenged the validity of the City’s annexation and filed a petition for declaratory judgment and injunctive relief. The Circuit Court of St. Charles County entered judgment in favor of the City. The property owner appealed.

The Eastern District held that the attempted “flag annexation” did not meet the “test of compactness”...