An annexation bitterly opposed by the Bay Point Municipal Advisory Commission is the subject of talks between Pittsburg and the Ambrose Recreation and Park District.

District directors at their Aug. 10 meeting tabled a motion to oppose the proposed Mirant annexation that would create another incursion into Bay Point by Pittsburg.

The Pittsburg City Council at its June 19 meeting approved pre-zoning nearly 1,100 acres on 17 parcels north of Willow Pass Road as part of its plan to annex the land known as the Mirant Power Plant site, formerly a Pacific Gas and Electric plant.

The land lies within Pittsburg's sphere of influence, although it is outside the city limits.

The area targeted by Pittsburg is north of Willow Pass, east of McAvoy Harbor and immediately northwest of the city limits, city reports state.

The city staff reports also note that the land is connected to the city limits on two sides and called for the council to move forward with the annexation because putting the property in the city limits would benefit the property owners and Pittsburg residents.

The annexation simmered below the surface during a recent town hall meeting in Bay Point with County Supervisor Federal Glover and Lou Ann Teixeira, Executive Director of the Contra Costa Local Agency Formation Commission, which must rule on the annexation.

Pittsburg has not yet submitted a formal annexation request, although LAFC officials say it is expected.

Most Bay Point MAC members oppose the annexation as an attempt by Pittsburg to carve out more developable property in Bay Point leaving the less desirable property in the unincorporated area. Many Bay Point residents have made it clear they don't want to be part of Pittsburg; that they prefer their Bay Point heritage.

Ambrose General Manager Travis Stombaugh said his board tabled a motion to oppose the annexation and directed him to rewrite the resolution and also to talk to Pittsburg about the tax effects of the annexation.

If Pittsburg annexes the property, the landowners could still be in the Ambrose district and pay taxes to it. Or they could petition to detach from the district, thus reducing the district's tax base. Another alternative, which Stombaugh is pursuing is to share the taxes.

"If we share the taxes, we won't get an increase but we won't lose anything," he said.

No formal talks have been held yet, he added.