News | Peachtree City

PTC Council opposes annex bill

Thu, 02/23/2006 - 4:38pm
By: John Munford

The Peachtree City Council is officially opposing a bill in the Georgia Legislature that would essentially give Fayette County veto power over annexations.

The bill, if approved, would require approval of the County Commission for any proposed annexation by city officials. In the current process, the county can file specific objections and take the matter to court if officials deem necessary.

The proposed change would put the power of annexation in the hands of county officials, particularly because the county includes all of its unincorporated area in its land use plan. If Fayette did not do that for some reason, the proposed bill would not require the county’s approval.

The city is currently considering an annexation application from John Wieland Homes for a 377 acre tract north of MacDuff Parkway but no final decision has yet been made on that proposal. It is not clear whether the new annexation bill, if approved, would affect that process.

The City Council approved a resolution last week to oppose the legislation.

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Is Annexation why we now have Fayettedale?
CarpeDieminPTC's picture
Submitted by CarpeDieminPTC on Sun, 02/26/2006 - 11:51am.

Caveat: I'm not an expert in this subject matter at all, so I'll just make grossly exaggerated assumptions.

Please allow me to use an example of say . . . 200 acres to be used for Single family homes.

The County has a land use plan which requires 2+ acres to build a single family home upon. Fayettedale decides they want to annex 200 acres and build 1/2 acre lot homes on it. The 200 acre home yeilds,
(after roads and common areas), about 300 new homes as opposed to the county's land use plane which would have produced maybe 75 homes.

75 new County homes means 200 more cars.
300 new City homes means 700 more cars
75 new County homes means 200 new students in our schools
300 new City homes means 700 new students.

The average price of the homes on 2.5 acres is 400-700k which means an increase in the tax digest of approx. 37 million for 75 families.

While the 300 new city homes equals only an average of 200-400k per home. Which means 90 million dollar increase to the digest to support 300 familes.

Since the pavillion was built, we've had to build more roads, more infrastructure, a new jail.

The question I guess is whether we like the lifestyle we currently have? And if so, how do we maintain it, or do we really want to turn into what Riverdale was 20 years ago?

In essense, you would raise more taxes per family under the counties' land use plan, then you would under the cities.

In addition, the less expensive the house, the more likely it is to have more children, which means more kids in the school.

I know we can't stop growth, but it seems the County is making the growth more controlled which prevents the lower tax digest with an increased population growth that the city planner's envision.

Well these were my rantings for the day. Sure, I'm in the lifeboat and I know that allot more want to get it in, but if we let too many get into the boat, we will capsize, and be back in the water again. The question is, who does a better job of making sure that a limited number of people can get into this small lifeboat.

Say is there any more land in Meriweather County?


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Carpediem, spelling and math are good things
H. Hamster's picture
Submitted by H. Hamster on Tue, 02/28/2006 - 7:41pm.

Yes, you acknowledge you are not an expert at the start of your rant, but goodness gracious, dude, think about the facts a little bit and when you multiply one number by another - do it correctly. Spelling? Where would I start?

Nevertheless, on the actual issue of annexation, by all means do it!
The tax digest arguement is bogus. The city needs the revenue - not the county - plus, the city can extract some serious concessions and impact fees from the developer. Those fees and concessions will be paid up front and can be used to fund projects that actually help PTC now, as opposed to the county later.

Who cares if the county wins in the end - unless, you, my friend are a county commissioner.


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One thing I know for sure.
Submitted by McDonoughDawg on Sun, 02/26/2006 - 3:01pm.

If I move south again, it will be to the Beach.

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Annex
PTC Guy's picture
Submitted by PTC Guy on Sat, 02/25/2006 - 3:52pm.

Seems like the norm is for the cities to be the main in such things because they are the ones most impacted.

Never heard of such a thing before.

I oppose it as well.


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Annexation Bill
mudcat's picture
Submitted by mudcat on Sat, 02/25/2006 - 5:01pm.

If John's article describes this proposed bill accurately, there is no way it will ever pass. Counties would never allow annexations if they were given total veto power. Can't imagine why it was proposed or who thought it was a good idea. Nevertheless, let's contact Lakly and Seabaugh and get their take on this thing.
meow


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Annexation Bill
Submitted by robert m on Sat, 02/25/2006 - 5:45pm.

Why in God's world would anyone imagine that a county board of commissioners should have any input whatever in annexation matters.
Annexation matters are between property owners adjacent to cities and the cities themselves. We don't need commissioners interfering with the will of the people.

You're right, it will never pass, but it never ceases to amaze me to what extent some people will go to appropriate power to themselves.

Hasn't been that long since your own board of commissioners was
suing a city to stop an annexation.

For sure, contact Lakly and Seabaugh to make sure this doesn't happen.

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Power to the people
H. Hamster's picture
Submitted by H. Hamster on Sat, 02/25/2006 - 7:28pm.

Yes indeed. Look at my blog on Annexation and reply or get on board or not as you see fit.

Don't let this one slip by.

County has enough power - let's take back some of that power for ourselves.


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