San Antonio on its way to becoming fifth largest city in U.S.

The Riverstone at Alamo Ranch neighborhood is shown in this aerial photo. The Alamo Ranch area had the largest number of home sales from January to November. The Riverstone at Alamo Ranch neighborhood is shown in this aerial photo. The Alamo Ranch area had the largest number of home sales from January to November. Photo: Express-News File Photo Photo: Express-News File Photo Image 1 of / 39 Caption Close San Antonio on its way to becoming fifth largest city in U.S. 1 / 39 Back to Gallery

City Council voted Thursday to move forward with a plan to potentially annex 66 square miles of unincorporated Bexar County, which could make San Antonio the fifth largest city in the nation.

The city is looking at adding five areas: off Interstate 10 near Camp Bullis, off of I-10 on the city’s far East Side, off U.S. 281 near the Comal County line, near Texas 151 and Loop 1604, and near U.S. 90 and Loop 1604.

The annexation process is a long one. Staff will spend the next year studying three of the areas. City Council will have to vote again in December 2015 to officially begin the annexation process, which then could take another three years. The remaining two areas will be considered for addition to the city in 2016.

The city is pursuing limited-purpose annexation, which means the city can decide not to annex all or some of the five areas.