Marthasville city leaders say Happy Apples, the Washington-area candy apple maker that maintains orchard fields in southern Warren County, is asking if it can bring a little slice of its business into their city limits.

According to Mayor David Lange, the company has submitted a petition to the city government to voluntarily annex a 3-acre plot of land on the east side of Highway 47. Lange discussed the request during a May 19 board of aldermen meeting, saying that the area to annex would be behind the Blue Flame Gas property, directly northeast of the Pecan Street–Highway 47 intersection.

“From my knowledge, they’re looking to put a retail store there,” Lange said. “I’m assuming it’s going to be to put in a Happy Apples stand or to sell their products.”

Lange said the general intention for the property had been shared with him during conversation with a company representative, but those details aren’t included in the documents submitted to the city. Also not included was a drawn map of the proposed annexation area, leading to some frustration from Alderman Nick Lange.

“If I’m going to entertain adding property (to the city), I’d like to know the boundary proximity of the property,” Alderman Lange commented. He also expressed reservations about accepting a new property without knowing for sure what’s being done with it. Since annexing comes with some obligations from the city, Alderman Lange said he would like to hear what benefits the property would bring.

“I’d like to hear from them, or see a letter or something more of what are they wanting to do with this land, why they want the city to annex it,” Alderman Lange said. “Obviously, if there’s going to be retail sales, there’s going to be some sales tax revenue and there can be some benefit.”

Before annexing land into the city, the board of aldermen must have a public hearing, where anyone can come to speak about the proposal, said City Attorney Mark Piontek. That will give aldermen a chance to review more information and ask questions about what the company plans to do with the 3-acre lot. 

Before taking a final vote on the annexation, the board must wait an additional 14 days for any public objections, Piontek added.

Board members voted 3-0, with Dan Grafrath absent, to proceed with an annexation hearing at their June 16 public meeting. Happy Apples will also be directed to pay all legal and recording fees for the annexation process.