Banning Bench, Black Bench Eyed For Annexation: Workshop Planned

BANNING, CA — The communities of Banning Bench and Black Bench have remained outside city limits at the request of residents who want their neighborhoods to stay that way. The city of Banning, however, wants to potentially annex the Bench communities.

To that end, a special Banning City Council meeting — including a public workshop — is scheduled at 4 p.m. Tuesday to discuss possible annexation.

"The city continues to respect the residents' desire to remain unincorporated; however, new circumstances have arisen that create an advantage for both the city and the residents to open discussions of potential annexation," according to city documents.

Those advantages, according to the city, are the extension of water infrastructure and water supply to existing Bench residents and those wishing to develop their vacant parcels.

The proposed annexation would encompass approximately 282 parcels over 872 acres. Under county zoning, single-family dwellings with density restrictions are allowed, as are light-agricultural and "homestead" farming activities. However, 114 lots remain undeveloped and the city and some property owners contend lack of water is the reason.

Banning Mutual Heights Water Company, which is owned by the local residents, serves the Bench area. Due to infrastructure issues, however, a moratorium on new potable water meters is in place, according to the city.

"The inability to obtain potable water effectively halts all new development by property owners that pay annual levies in the form of [Banning Mutual Heights Water Company] shares," according to city documents. "Shareholders continue to pay annual assessments without enjoying the property rights benefits afforded to them under law.

"The primary purpose of annexation is to extend water availability, supply, and infrastructure to existing residents and those wishing to develop their vacant parcels ...," according to the city.

The city does not intend to increase construction density if annexation occurred, nor would it "establish growth-inducing infrastructure," such as municipal sewer lines or roads, according to the city documents.

"The city intends to preserve and protect the existing development patterns, current density standards, and prevent any major growth-inducing projects," according to the city.

The city promises to work with residents on any infrastructure projects in the area.

Tuesday's special Banning City Council meeting will be held in Council Chambers, 99 E. Ramsey Street. Read the full meeting agenda here.