TURTLECREEK TWP. — Lebanon's attempt to annex more than 300 parcels of township land before a new state law takes effect in 10 days that makes such annexations more difficult may be going down in flames.

        At a township meeting Monday night, more than 150 township residents wrung a promise out of a Lebanon councilman that the city will not annex properties that don't want to join Lebanon.

        “We're not going to go and grab your land,” Councilman Ben Cole said.

        A majority of the property owners signed pre-annexation agreements in the past — usually to get city water — but some said Monday night that they did it under duress.

        “I didn't know about it until the closing,” said Rick Berryman of Natalie Lane. “In Calloway Farms, the water was already there (when the subdivision was built). If you didn't sign it, you didn't close.”

        Echoed Ray Smith of Hart Road: “I was taken hostage.”

        City Attorney Mark Yurick told the angry crowd that it cost the city time and money to run water to their neighborhoods.

        “If you hadn't signed a pre-annexation, the city wouldn't have been interested in running utilities to your properties,” Mr. Yurick said.

        Only about 10 property owners have signed a letter the city sent out seeking annexation support, he told council members at a separate meeting Monday night. But Mr. Yurick agreed with Mr. Cole's assessment that the city can't annex against property owners' will.

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