Friday, May 11, 2001
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Friday, May 11, 2001 |
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Senoia takes another look at annexation By JOHN
THOMPSON
You can call it the annexation that just won't die. Senoia officials went 'round and 'round Monday night over two proposed subdivisions on Rockaway Road that were voted down last month. The two subdivisions contain more than 130 acres and would have 130 homes on the road leading to Peachtree City. Mayor Joan Trammell said she asked that the issue be brought up again because she was not clear on whether the council had understood all the issues involved in the process. City Attorney Drew Whalen explained that one of the tracts was the subject of litigation between the city and Coweta County. After Senoia lost the legal battle, the city submitted the annexation back to the county, which agreed to let the city annex it with certain restrictions. Some of the restrictions included having only 1.6-acre lots on the perimeter of the property and not allowing R-20 open space zoning, which would allow for quarter-acre lots. Whalen explained the developer, Steve Entrekin, had donated money toward the town's legal fight with the county and had agreed to the county's restrictions. Entrekin then told the city that he would pay $250,000 to connect his subdivision to the city's sewer system and also build a pump station that would not cost the city anything. He emphasized that the homes would be in the $200,000 range and his development would bring in nearly $300,000 to the city every year in property taxes and water and sewer fees. Several residents spoke up in favor of the annexation, but some of the councilmen were still concerned about the project. "I think there's a police protection issue involved here," said Councilman Darren Ratajski. Councilman Bob Hannah said he had listened to the citizens at the last meeting and was worried the city's new sewer systems would be saturated with new subdivisions before many of the city's older homes are hooked to it. Resident Gail Maynard was more succinct in her support of the annexation. "We need the money," she said. Mayor Joan Trammell said the county is going to continue to grow and she favors having the property inside the city limits so the city can control it. The council finally decided to cease discussion on the issue and resume the discussion in June after members have more time to gather more facts on the issue.
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