The summer of annexation really begins in the spring. Study plans and annexation efforts by cities in South Fulton County geared to a legislatively-imposed Oct. 30 deadline for annexation are largely under way. At stake are more than 11,000 acres adjacent to Palmetto, Fairburn and Union City and identified for possible annexation by those cities by October.

Along with the cities’ plans come questions many residents targeted for annexation believe must be answered before they can make an intelligent decision on the issues. One of those questions includes the number and extent of services to be provided by the cities and the timelines annexed residents can expect if they choose annexation. Another question involves not only the current millage rate, but how those rates might be affected in 2007 by providing additional services to an immediate influx of newly annexed residents. How will a city pay for additional police and firefighters between mid-2006 and late 2007 when the first year of city taxes will be due, they ask, wondering if the increased expense might not lead to an increase in the millage rate after just one year in their new city. Palmetto’s current tax rate is 4.5 mills, Fairburn is at 5.45 mills and Union City’s rate is 7.5 mills. The announced millage rate for the proposed cities of South Fulton and Chattahoochee Hills in 7.731.

For their part, the cities of South Fulton know it is now or possibly never to annex, given the June 2007 vote by residents of the unincorporated areas to form their own cities. Perhaps the most ambitious thus far of the six cities is the study plan for Union City. Looking to increase the geographical size of the city by approximately 130 percent, Union City has designated 17 areas for possible annexation, with approximately two-thirds of the area situated west of I-85 and the remaining area east of the expressway. With the exception of one large parcel fronting Ga. Highway 92, Union City would extend its westernmost borders along Hwy. 92 up to the South Fulton Parkway. Moving east, the city would encompass all the land directly south of the parkway and would continue to the area near I-285, wrapping around and taking in all the area on the west side of I-85. On the east side of I-85, plans call for annexing in a near straight north-south line from the easternmost edge of the current city limits and continuing down to the Fayette County line. From that point, plans call for Union City limits to extend to the remaining area south of Fairburn and Union City up to the current Fairburn city limits.

Union City is the only South Fulton city thus far to announce public meetings on annexation. Four meetings have been announced. Meetings will be held June 1 at Christian City, June 6 at Body of Christ Church International, June 8 at Open Word Ministries and June 15 at city hall. The times for all meetings will be 5-8 p.m.. Union City has also mailed information and annexation request forms to residents in its target areas.

Looking to more than double its current geographical size of 3,328 acres within Fulton County, Palmetto would expand on the west side running on a north-south line from the area of Hearn Road to the Coweta County line. On its proposed northwest boundary the line would extend up to Hutcheson Ferry Road. The city would include the area to the south of Hutcheson Ferry to the current city limits then extend due north to Wilkerson Mill Road. The proposed city limits would include everything south of Wilkerson Mill to just east of Ga. Highway 154 then angle northeast then east to the current north-easternmost side of the city. Plans call for extending the city limits east to Bishop Road and south to U.S. Highway 29. Annexation plans for the area in Fulton County south of Hwy. 29 include all the area east of Gullat Road and west of I-85. Though not currently under consideration, Palmetto has future plans that call for annexation into Coweta County in the direction of I-85.

Fairburn’s plans call for the least annexation of the three cities, with the proposed maximum number of acres estimated at 1,200 or approximately 25 percent of the city’s current size. The large majority of the targeted property is located on Fairburn’s southwest side.

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. 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.

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 McDonalds and Dunkin Donuts are located and the area south of Milam Road on the west side of Hwy. 74. Also cited 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.

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