POULSBO — Despite fears of what may happen in the future, the city council decided this week to add another section of land to its boundaries.

This time, expanding its borders to the south.

The South Viking Avenue annexation was unanimously approved by the Poulsbo City Council at its Jan. 5 meeting. The decision adds nine properties and a southern section of Viking Avenue to the city for a total of about 24 acres. Six properties are located on the west side of Viking and three are on the east.

The annexation petition was received by Poulsbo in August 2004 and the Kitsap County Boundary Review Board’s review period ended in early December 2004.

City Planner Edie Berghoff explained that the petition had received a handful of responses from Mary Rita Hagwell, whose property was included in the annexation area. One of Hagwell’s letters, which was read into the record, stated that she did not necessarily disagree with the annexation but the potential for her to have to pay “$35,000” to hook up to Poulsbo utilities, which was a number she claimed was quoted to her by her fellow petitioners.

Another petitioner, Linda Berry-Maraist, explained that the Hagwells had initially been supportive of the annexation to add to their property value and had signed the petition. But once the group received estimates from ADA Engineering on costs to connect to utilities, they objected.

“We are now in a position where it is not unanimous but we still believe the Hagwells will still get the economic benefit that made them want the annexation in the first place,” she commented.

But the Hagwells weren’t the only ones objecting. George McVay, a resident of the east side of Viking Avenue near the proposed annexation said he had serious concerns about the potential for development of the area and the traffic congestion it could bring. At the current density of five homes per acre, a full development has the potential to add more than 100 new homes — which would more than double the population in the area.

“I’m concerned about safety and my own convenience getting out onto Viking (Avenue),” McVay said. “I think something needs to be done there soon.”

Planning Director Barry Berezowsky added the property owners could apply to the council for density as high as 14 units per acre, although he is not aware there are any designs on such a request.

But Jackie Aitchison, Program Director of the YMCA ALIVE program, pointed out that the annexation also had the potential to do good for the community. The ALIVE program’s first transitional housing in North Kitsap, which was completed in late 2003, is located within the annexation boundaries. Aitchison explained that there is a great need for transitional homes in Kitsap County and the annexation, and the utilities it would bring, would allow the YMCA to build two additional duplexes on the land.

“I know four more units doesn’t sound like a lot but it’s a lot more than what we have now,” Aitchison said.

Berry-Maraist added that she has owned her property for eight years and had been unable to develop it because of lack of utilities. Though current residents may have enjoyed being surrounded by undeveloped land, she pointed out that the site had at one point contained a mobile home that was broken into and used as a meth lab. Those responsible were caught in March 2004, after trying to steal from Central Market, and the lab found out, but Berry-Maraist had to have the home destroyed.

“So having undeveloped property has a downside as well,” Berry-Maraist commented.

Despite concerns Councilman Jeff McGinty, also reminded those present that the matter before council was simply the addition of the proposed area to the Poulsbo city limits. He said the fear of what could happen to those properties afterward did not have any bearing on the decision at hand.

“All we’re talking about here is whether to not we want to annex,” McGinty explained. “Any impacts, whatever they may be, would be addressed if and when a proposal came up.”

“The only change is the taxes come to us and you get to vote in the City of Poulsbo,” added councilman Dale Rudolph.