(a) Notwithstanding Sections 56425, 56427, and 56428, a petition for removal of territory from a sphere of influence determination may be brought pursuant to this section by landowners within the redevelopment project area referenced in subdivision (e) of Section 33492.41 of the Health and Safety Code, if, at the time the petition is submitted, the area for which the petition is being requested meets all of the following requirements:
(1) Is unincorporated territory.
(2) Contains at least 100 acres.
(3) Is surrounded or substantially surrounded by incorporated territory.
(4) Contains at least 100 acres zoned for commercial or industrial uses or is designated on the applicable county general plan for commercial or industrial uses.
(b) On receipt of a petition signed by landowners owning at least 25 percent of the assessed value of the land within the affected territory, the commission shall hear and consider oral or written testimony.
(c) The petition shall be placed on the agenda of the commission in accordance with subdivision (b) of Section 56428.
(d) The executive officer shall give notice of the hearing in accordance with Section 56427.
(e) From the date of filing of the petition to the conclusion of the hearing, the commission shall accept written positions from any owner of land in the unincorporated territory that is seeking removal from a city’s sphere of influence.
(f) The petition to remove territory from a city’s sphere of influence shall be granted and given immediate effect if the commission finds that written positions filed in favor of the petition and not withdrawn prior to the conclusion of the hearing represent landowners owning 50 percent or more of the assessed value of the land within the affected territory.
(g) No removal of territory from a city’s sphere of influence that is proposed by petition and adopted pursuant to this section shall be repealed or amended except by the petition and adoption procedure provided in subdivisions (a) to (f), inclusive. In all other respects, a removal of territory from a city’s sphere of influence proposed by petition and adopted pursuant to this section shall have the same force and effect as any amendment to or removal of territory from a city’s sphere of influence approved by the commission. No territory removed from a city’s sphere of influence pursuant to this section shall be annexed to that city, unless the territory is subsequently added to the sphere of influence of the city pursuant to the petition and adoption procedure provided in this section.
(h) Pursuant to Section 56383, the commission may establish a schedule of fees for the costs of carrying out this section.
(i) All proper expenses incurred in connection with removal of territory from a city’s sphere of influence pursuant to this section shall be paid by the proponents.
(Amended by Stats. 2000, Ch. 761, Sec. 80.5. Effective January 1, 2001.)