Spanish Fort city leaders had an open discussion about a residential property that was asking to be annexed into the city, with several officials expressing concerns about what that could mean for the city.

Mayor Mike McMillan told council members that a property located on Oneonta Trail was looking to possibly be annexed, but there were some issues with the area.

“I know it’s been a debate for a long time that the road there never got completed to the end of the property line,” McMillan said. “There are some drainage issues that would require some heavy, costly culverts and it could incur a lot of costs other than just the cost of asphalt to pave it there.”

Councilman J.R. Smith said he was concerned about what responsibilities the city might have if the annexation was granted.

“We’re not in the development business here,” Smith said. “With some of the other work we’ve already done out on that road, the city’s already built something the developer should have built and I don’t want to see us put ourselves on the hook for more.”

Smith said he wasn’t necessarily opposed to the annexation, but he added he would like for city staff to talk with the applicant and spell out the city’s position.

“I’d love for this man to be in the city, but I’m not going to pay for pre-existing conditions,” Smith said. “They need to go to the developer and ask them to finish the roads in front of their house. It’s a nice neighborhood and I’d love to see them in the city, but there has to be some understanding that we’re not getting in there to have to pave those roads.”

McMillan said he would reach out to the property owner and make the city’s position clear.