The Maricopa City Council unanimously approved an ordinance on Tuesday to annex land adjacent to State Route 238 west of State Route 347.

Totaling approximately 12 acres, the city-acquired one-mile section begins approximately 0.2 miles west of John Wayne Parkway and ends at Green Road. The attached strip, 100 feet wide and adjacent to the northern end of Route 238, was under the jurisdiction of Pinal County and administered by the Arizona Department of Transportation.

The annexation would allow the city to take ownership of the “ADOT Line,” which began last October 18, after ADOT transferred control of state roads within the city limits to Maricopa’s control.

“This is not really a buildable area,” said Mayor Rick Horst. “It’s just part of SR 238, which he had to annex in order to be able to take over that part.”

Although the annexation is small, Maricopa’s perimeter continues to expand, allowing the city to make improvements such as expansion, installation of traffic control devices, creation of access points for businesses, and other improvements.

“It’s just housekeeping,” said Horst.