FONTANA: A CITY OF ACTION

Background
In 2000, the City of Fontana established an Annexation Program and since this time has sought to annex its unincorporated Sphere of Influence. Since that time, the City has collectively annexed approximately five (5.0) square miles of land, which is equivalent to 3,200 acres with a combined population of over 14,000 residents. The most recent annexation occurred on February 4, 2008. More commonly known as Monarch Hills, this annexation area comprised about 425 acres and was situated on the northwest side of the I-15 Freeway; an area that lies adjacent to the Hunter's Ridge and Coyote Canyon Specific Plan areas in north Fontana.

By June of 2007, the City had annexed all of its 32-island areas. Although the special legislative provision for island annexations ends in January 2014, the City does not have any additional areas that would qualify as islands under state law or local annexation policies. The special legislative provisions permit cities throughout the State of California to annex islands of unincorporated territory that are substantially or totally surrounded by a city's corporate boundaries and have met the criteria set out in state law. For Fontana's remaining unincorporated Sphere of Influence, the City's Annexation Program will rely upon the "regular" annexation process, meaning that future proposed annexation areas will be subject to written protest.

Fontana's Growth Surge
The City's population now stands at 184,682 residents. The additional residents that were annexed has pushed Fontana passed the Cities of Rancho Cucamonga and Ontario to be the second most populous city in San Bernardino County-right behind the City of San Bernardino-in terms of population. Fontana may retain this coveted position for some time, especially with the additional annexation areas that are proposed.

How will annexed residents be affected?
The City will be able to provide a comprehensive level of service to its residents because it has developed a strong economic development program that generates revenues through sales tax and other use taxes. Sales tax revenues will remain local, instead of being diverted to other areas of the county. The City will be able to utilize that revenue to make needed improvements to roads, parks and services in the annexed areas.

What's on the horizon for Fontana?
The Annexation Team has been directed to "test the waters" for three proposed annexation areas. The first area lies in the central portion of the City's Sphere of Influence, along the south side of Foothill Boulevard, between Hemlock and Almeria Avenues. This proposed annexation area would complete the last stretch of the Foothill Boulevard Overlay District. Notification to landowners and residents may begin in 2009. The annexation process could take up to one year to complete.

The second annexation area lies on the south side of the I-10 Freeway, between Mulberry and Almond Avenues, which would "square off" the City's southern corporate boundaries. This proposed annexation area lies adjacent to the Southwest Industrial Park Specific Plan area, more commonly known as "SWIP". Landowners and residents within the annexation area may receive the first mailers by the summer of 2008. The mailers will provide general information concerning the benefits of annexation to the City and the benefits of becoming part of SWIP. The initiation of the annexation process for this area is about two years away.

The third annexation area lies in the City’s southeastern Sphere of Influence; a primarily residential, built-out area that would benefit from the comprehensive services that are provided by the City. The Alder-Randall annexation area is approximately 157 acres in size and is bordered by Randall Avenue on the north, San Bernardino Avenue on the south, Alder Avenue on the west and Locust Avenue on the east. The annexation of this area would assist in “squaring-off” the City’s corporate limits and would fill in the remaining unincorporated area within Fontana’s southeastern Sphere of Influence.

The Alder-Randall annexation area comprises a population of about 1,410 residents and 414 dwelling units. As part of the City’s outreach efforts, a third mailer was sent to the landowners and residents within the annexation area and replies are expected soon. Once this information is compiled, the City Council will decide whether to initiate the annexation process. If initiated by City Council resolution, the annexation process may take up to one year to complete.

Map (PDF)
City of Fontana - San Bernardino County (405 KB)

For additional information about annexation, please contact:
Cecilia Lopez-Henderson, Annexation Program Coordinator
(909) 350-6743,
Or, you may contact Gabriela Sanchez, Administrative Aide, at (909) 350-7692, for further assistance.

Si tiene alguna pregunta acerca del proceso de anexión o de la Ciudad de Fontana, por favor comuniquese con la
Srta. Gabriela Sanchez, al teléfono (909) 350-7692 en la Ciudad de Fontana.