Candidates in La Quinta seem to agree on one thing: The city should not annex the Vista Santa Rosa area in the near future.

The subject has become a hot button issue during the race for the mayor's seat and two open seats on the City Council.

Incumbents have said they want to make their opposition known, and it's not an issue the City Council plans to move on any time soon.

Talk of developing the rural area east of Monroe Street between Avenue 52 and Avenue 62, has been on the city's radar for at least six years. City leaders have been eyeing up to 8,000 acres which could be developed into tract homes and country clubs, potentially skyrocketing the city's population past 100,000. If annexed in the future, it is unclear who would pay the tab for needed city services of water, police and fire presence.

Mayor Don Adolph is adamant the area will not be annexed if the residents living there cannot pay for services themselves. He does not want to burden taxpayers with fees for others. He said development is inevitable there, but the city must maintain control of it.

“The costs must be self-sustained,” Adolph said.

Mayoral candidate Kenneth Doran said he opposes annexation, citing the recent economic downturn. He said he is not in favor of paying for the area's services and it causes him great concern.

City Council candidate Kristy Franklin is running on the slogan “Make La Quinta better, not bigger.” She wants to see public input on any land expansion ideas and said annexing land to the east would make “no economic or land use sense when no tax revenue is gained.”

Planning Commission Chairman and City Council candidate Ed Alderson said he is against annexation and remains cautious about whether it's the right decision to make.

Council candidate Robert Wright said he favors responsible growth and development, but is not for annexation at this time because the economic burden would be too great.

Candidate Larry Pughe agreed with the others, saying he is not in favor since property taxes will not benefit the city. He said he wants to study the feasibility of the site “sometime down the road.”

Council incumbent Stanley Sniff said he will look at the annexation again only if it becomes logical. He said he is not in favor of subsidizing the city services needed for residents.

Candidate Robert Sylk said more time must be spent on the issue because the numbers don't add up.