Posted 1:49 pm Thursday, February 09, 2012
Tyler, Whitehouse Settle Boundary Dispute
By JACQUE HILBURN-SIMMONS and KELLY GOOCH
Staff Writers
A long-standing difference of opinion in the boundary line separating Tyler and Whitehouse is no longer an issue.
City leaders from both cities said Wednesday they have signed off on an agreement that finally defines the boundaries of their respective areas.
This latest development also paves the way for the creation of a new Council of Cities so city leaders from Tyler, Bullard, Chandler, New Chapel Hill, Lindale, Noonday, Troup, Whitehouse and Winona can get better acquainted.
Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass said it’s time for East Texans to come together for the benefit of all.
Staff Writers
A long-standing difference of opinion in the boundary line separating Tyler and Whitehouse is no longer an issue.
City leaders from both cities said Wednesday they have signed off on an agreement that finally defines the boundaries of their respective areas.
This latest development also paves the way for the creation of a new Council of Cities so city leaders from Tyler, Bullard, Chandler, New Chapel Hill, Lindale, Noonday, Troup, Whitehouse and Winona can get better acquainted.
Tyler Mayor Barbara Bass said it’s time for East Texans to come together for the benefit of all.
“All of us are recognizing the importance of working together as a region,” the mayor said. “We are thrilled with the agreement and we think it’s for the common good of all communities.”
The purpose of the new cities’ council is to explore ways to work collaboratively on projects that enhance the regional economy and manage its natural resources, officials said.
The first Council of Cities meeting is set for 6 p.m. March 19 at Harvey Convention Center, 2000 W. Front St., in Tyler, with subsequent gatherings held quarterly.
Mayors, city councils and administrators are invited to attend, as well as Smith County commissioners.
Whitehouse is the latest community to work with Tyler for the creation of specific boundaries. Recent agreements also have been reached with Chandler, Lindale, Bullard and Winona.
The purpose of the new cities’ council is to explore ways to work collaboratively on projects that enhance the regional economy and manage its natural resources, officials said.
The first Council of Cities meeting is set for 6 p.m. March 19 at Harvey Convention Center, 2000 W. Front St., in Tyler, with subsequent gatherings held quarterly.
Mayors, city councils and administrators are invited to attend, as well as Smith County commissioners.
Whitehouse is the latest community to work with Tyler for the creation of specific boundaries. Recent agreements also have been reached with Chandler, Lindale, Bullard and Winona.
“We’ve been working on this for quite a long time,” City Attorney Gary Landers said. “The agreement with Whitehouse is very complicated … not only does it solve differences between us, but it also shows the ability of the two cities to talk through things and reach a mutual agreement.”
Whitehouse officials said they are pleased with the developments.
“We’re glad we finally got the northern boundary of the city (set)…,” Whitehouse City Manager Mike Peterson said Wednesday. “There have been questions for years, and now it’s defined. We came up with a solution that made both (parties) happy.”
Assistant City Manager Kevin Huckabee said it was a pleasure working with Tyler on the issue.
The agreement will allow Whitehouse to expand its northern boundary to the southern edge of Loop 49, including both sides of Texas Highway 110.
Peterson said that means property owners on either side of Texas Highway 110 could be annexed into Whitehouse. If annexed, the property owners would begin paying Whitehouse taxes and in turn receive city services.
But Peterson said there are no plans for development or involuntary annexations.
All annexations would be voluntary, and those who would like to be part of Whitehouse could come by City Hall on East Main Street for more information.
Wednesday’s agreement came about a year after Whitehouse began looking at its northern boundary.
“We’re just trying to get Whitehouse established so we know what we can do and how we can plan,” Whitehouse Councilman Mike Jeter said earlier. Moving the boundary north “allow(s) Whitehouse to grow and not become landlocked. A town can’t prosper if it can’t grow.”
Officials said agreements had been worked out in the 1980s and then renegotiated in the 1990s, but there were not enough records located to support the earlier boundary line.
Whitehouse officials said they are pleased with the developments.
“We’re glad we finally got the northern boundary of the city (set)…,” Whitehouse City Manager Mike Peterson said Wednesday. “There have been questions for years, and now it’s defined. We came up with a solution that made both (parties) happy.”
Assistant City Manager Kevin Huckabee said it was a pleasure working with Tyler on the issue.
The agreement will allow Whitehouse to expand its northern boundary to the southern edge of Loop 49, including both sides of Texas Highway 110.
Peterson said that means property owners on either side of Texas Highway 110 could be annexed into Whitehouse. If annexed, the property owners would begin paying Whitehouse taxes and in turn receive city services.
But Peterson said there are no plans for development or involuntary annexations.
All annexations would be voluntary, and those who would like to be part of Whitehouse could come by City Hall on East Main Street for more information.
Wednesday’s agreement came about a year after Whitehouse began looking at its northern boundary.
“We’re just trying to get Whitehouse established so we know what we can do and how we can plan,” Whitehouse Councilman Mike Jeter said earlier. Moving the boundary north “allow(s) Whitehouse to grow and not become landlocked. A town can’t prosper if it can’t grow.”
Officials said agreements had been worked out in the 1980s and then renegotiated in the 1990s, but there were not enough records located to support the earlier boundary line.
