The proposed annexation to Wildwood of a single parcel in Wildwood Country Resort has spurred some residents to pursue annexation of the entire neighborhood.
Wildwood commissioners Monday night heard the first reading of an ordinance to annex property of Sarah Empey, who lives at on the edge of the neighborhood adjacent to the city. The ordinance likely will be voted on next month.
Wildwood Country Resort, a neighborhood of about 150 manufactured homes south of State Road 44 along Buena Vista Boulevard, became an island in 2018 when the city rezoned the area surrounding it to age-restricted zoning for development of the Villages of Southern Oaks.
Several neighborhood residents told commissioners they should annex the entire neighborhood and not just one lot.
“We are very interested in seeing this,” said Susan Stoltz.
Joseph Deutsch, Empey’s stepfather, said annexing the entire neighborhood makes sense.
He said Wildwood police protection for his daughter’s property will be more difficult because officers will have to drive through the unincorporated neighborhood.
If Wildwood annexes the resort, Deutsch said the city would need to fix the roads and make storm sewer improvements to correct flooding problems. The city already provides water and waste water services to the area.
Residents said they may start a petition drive the annex the entire neighborhood.
In 2022, an entrance to the neighborhood from SR 44 was closed during construction of the Buena Vista Boulevard extension.
