Corona Council Takes Step to Annex Coronita
City Council members voted unanimously Wednesday night to begin annexation proceedings for the Coronita community, but emphasized that they do not want to force residents of the unincorporated area to join their city.
The annexation request will, in effect, put the question of annexation to Coronita’s voters.
A county commission required the city to initiate the action as a condition of annexing a larger, adjacent area of land where more than 3,000 homes are scheduled to be built.
“This (annexation) is not an item that is initiated by the city through its own self-interest,” Councilman R. Gary Miller said. “The City of Corona is in no way trying to force the residents of Coronita into the city.”
The council also unanimously approved a motion by Councilman William Franklin to reassure Coronita residents that if they join the city, “we’re not going to change their area.”
Corona would not require Coronita residents to hook up to its sewer system, for example, unless “a health hazard” develops from the area’s septic systems, said James Wheaton, city manager.
Wednesday night’s meeting marked the end of Councilman William Miller’s yearlong term as mayor of Corona. Replacing Miller in the post for the next year will be Councilman S.R. (Al) Lopez.
The council also selected Franklin to serve as mayor pro tem for the next year.
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