An annexation plan in Lake Arthur will expand the town limits to include a convenience store, auto repair shop, along with smaller undeveloped privately-owned land on the west side of LA. 26.

The Lake Arthur Town Council agreed Wednesday to move forward on proposed plans to annex property along La. 26 north that was previously outside of the town limits.

The council unanimously adopted an ordinance which will place several properties on the west side of La. 26 including Tiger Mart and Quality Collision, along with several smaller pieces of undeveloped privately-owned land into the town limits. The east side of the highway, which includes Market Basket and other businesses, is already included in the town limits.

“We have had 10 to 12 landowners who graciously signed the paperwork to let us annex their property into the city limits, so Tiger Mart will be in the city limits, along with the Benoit property and a few other small pieces of property,” Mayor Poncho Lejeune said.

“I think that is a great thing for the town of Lake Arthur because we haven’t annexed any property since Market Basket was built on Hwy. 26 about 30 years ago,” he continued.

Town officials said all legal requirements have been met for the annexation, including a petition made by all of the registered voters, residential property owners and all property owners representing 100 percent in value of the property of the property owners.

Property annexed into the town will have access to the town’s water, sewer and other services, Lejeune said.

The annexation will also mean more revenue in the form of property taxes and sales taxes for the town. Sales taxes alone could increase by $70,000 annually just from Quality Collision and Tiger Mart, according to Lejeune.

The annexation is will also boost the town’s ability to attract economic development opportunities and develop commercial properties on the west side of La. 26, he said.