In a 9-2 vote, City Council approved the annexation of 1.9 square miles of commercial real estate along Highway 281 north of 1604 from Marshall Road to the City of Bulverde. The deal is part of a compromise with 28,000 residents who didn't want to be absorbed into the city. The city plans to execute a non-annexation agreement for the bigger, residential area early next year, with two public hearings scheduled in January. The city has allocated $1.2M to fund services in the newly annexed area, which will officially become part of the city Dec. 31, reports the San Antonio Express-News.

Critics argue the city is pursuing an outdated growth strategy. District 8 Councilman Ron Nirenberg, one of the dissenting annexation votes, says the city is, "using a 1950's solution to a 21st-century problem. Chasing unsustainable sprawl for tax revenue purposes is the antithesis of building a great city."

Councilman Joe Krier, who represents the district closest to the area, is among the members voting in support of the annexation, saying such growth is critical to San Antonio's economic future. [SAEN]