The Fairburn City Council held its first discussion on potential annexation plans into unincorporated South Fulton County May 8. Perhaps minor compared to the expansion plans of other South Fulton cities, Fairburn was the first city to map out its tentative plans in a public meeting.

In doing so, and if approved by property owners and registered voters, the proposed maximum number of acres proposed for annexation is 1,000-1,200 acres, an increase of approximately 25 percent of the city’s current size.

The targeted property is located primarily on the southwest side of the city.

Like other cities in South Fulton County, Fairburn was given until Oct. 30 to have all annexations in place. The time line came from the General Assembly as a part of the approval to give residents of unincorporated South Fulton County the vote in June 2007 to create the new cities of South Fulton and Chattahoochee Hills. If created, existing cities, with the exception of Palmetto, would be surrounded by the new corporate limits and unable to expand in the future. Successful annexations are contingent on the approval of 60 percent of land owners and 60 percent of registered voters in the targeted areas.

The largest targeted areas included those along U.S. Highway 29 and west of Ga. Highway 74. The properties along Hwy. 29 include approximately 500 acres owned by CSX Railroad and the Owens Corning facility. A bit further southwest is another possible property for annexation located on both sides of I-85 and Gullat Road. Williams said the owner is interested in annexing into the city, adding that the area holds significant potential and would benefit greatly from the eventual installation of an expressway interchange.

Also under consideration is a tract of approximately 300 acres of city-owned property located on the city’s southwest side between Bohannon Road and Creekwood Road, formerly to be used as a wastewater treatment facility but now targeted as a city nature preserve. Williams suggested that the council hold off on making a decision on annexing the area.

“I think we should defer making a decision on (the nature preserve) for the time being because if we were to annex it all in we would go all the way down to the county line and that would create a huge island,” Williams said. “If the annexation were approved we would be obligated to annex all that property in order to keep it from becoming an island. Now that might be something we want, but more importantly, what do these people want? Do they want to be in the city? If they do not want to be in the city of Fairburn, we need to keep the corridor (on the south side of the preserve) open so that we don’t have an unincorporated island.”

During the discussion, some council members said they believed the entire preserve area should be annexed. If such annexation occurs, the area east of the nature preserve would become targeted, as Williams suggested.

A relatively small amount of proposed annexation property was identified along the Highway 74 Corridor east of I-85. Those targeted areas included the small lots at Hwy. 74 and Oakley Industrial where McDonald’s and Dunkin’ Donuts are located and the area south of Milam Road on the west side of Hwy. 74.

Also cited by the council for potential annexation is the area on the northwest side of the city situated east of White Mill Road. And on the southeast side of Fairburn, the council agreed to pursue annexation of an area surrounded by the city and bordered by I-85. already receiving city services, the property borders Old Senoia Road on the west and Fayetteville Road on the east.

Beginning the discussion, Williams restated the city’s standing approach to annexation, one that predominantly emphasizes acquiring commercial and industrial areas.

“We said we would consider commercial and industrial annexation to the extent that it fit in with our comprehensive plan and complimented the development of the community and not just randomly annex something because it’s industrial or commercial or because it’s some kind of residential,” Williams said. “It has to fit into our concept, and then it has to provide something we don’t already have, something that pays for itself and contributes to our tax base.”