40-51.2-02. Declaration of purpose

40-51.2-02. Declaration of purpose It is hereby declared that the policies and procedures contained in this chapter are necessary and desirable for the orderly growth of urban communities in the state of North Dakota. It is the purpose of this chapter: 1. To encourage natural and well-ordered development of municipalities of the state; 2. To extend municipal government to areas which form a part of the whole community; 3. To simplify government structure in urban areas; and 4. To recognize the inter-relationship and interdependence between a municipal corporation and areas contiguous or adjacent thereto, and to these ends this chapter shall be liberally construed. For the purposes of this chapter, contiguity will not be affected by the existence of a platted street or alley, a public or private right of way, or a public or private transportation right of way or area, or a lake, reservoir, stream, or other natural or artificial waterway between the annexing municipality and the land to be annexed.