In December 2015, the Hot Springs Board of Directors approved the annexation of Enclave Area B, a 621-acre tract bordered by the following major streets: Lake Hamilton Drive, Lakeland Drive, Meadowlake Drive and Buena Vista, as well as Lake Hamilton to the south (see attached map). Since that time, the annexation has been the subject of ongoing litigation. As a result, the implementation of city services has been postponed.
While the Garland County Circuit Court ruled in favor of the city in granting the annexation of Enclave B, the plaintiffs appealed the decision. It is currently pending in the Arkansas Court of Appeals, case No. CV-17-807.
The plaintiffs have filed their Appellants’ Brief, and the city has responded with its Appellee’s Brief. The plaintiffs/appellants have until January 23, 2018 to file a reply brief.
The city hopes to have a ruling by the Arkansas Court of Appeals before the summer. However, until a final ruling is received, the annexation of Enclave B is not complete, and city services such as fire and police cannot be extended.