Notwithstanding any laws to the contrary, the Town of Valdese may annex, pursuant to Article 4 of G.S. 160A, areas not contiguous to its primary corporate limits which are closer to the primary corporate limits of the Town of Rutherford College than to the primary corporate limits of the Town of Valdese. The Town of Rutherford College may not annex any area by any means after receipt by the Town of Valdese of a petition from such area for annexation unless the Town of Valdese fails to annex such area within 60 days from receipt of such petition.