It was a long time coming, but the decision by some Goldie Road property owners to ask to be annexed into the city is welcome news.

The City Council unanimously paved the way for the annexation process last week, after property owners representing 85 percent of the area to be annexed asked to be included in the city.

There’s still a lot to be worked out, particularly who will pay how much for the extension of city sewer and other services to the area, but the ball is rolling in the right direction.

Council member Paul Brewer estimated it’s been 11 years since the first efforts to encourage annexation were made. And the proposal covers only the east side of Goldie Road, not the whole thing as originally envisioned. But it’s progress.

Once the process is final, Oak Harbor will have an area with all the services needed to attract new businesses to town. Goldie Road is likely too far from the beaten track to attract major retailers, but it is perfectly suitable for independently-owned businesses that generate good jobs and income for the community in an area ideally situated for such uses.