Union City continues to be busy during the summer of annexation. Planning Commission members July 24 held 32 public hearings, recommending the rezoning and annexation of more than 580 acres north of the city and 39 acres as part of an existing unincorporated island.

The majority of the parcels for consideration were located in the city-designated N-3 (North-3) area situated north of existing city limits and running along a portion of South Fulton Parkway. Properties located in N-3 ranged from 2.63 acres to 90.71 acres. All property owners were represented by attorney Woody Galloway. Community Development Director Ann Lippman told commissioners two remaining tracts in N-3 would be presented at a July 31 Planning commission meeting. Those tracts, along with those approved for recommendation July 24, total 648 acres.

The N-3 area is one of numerous areas, primarily on the north, east and south sides of the city slated for possible annexation by the city prior to the the legislatively-imposed October 30 deadline. If successfully annexed, those areas would more than double Union City’s existing city limits.

Also at the July 24 meeting, commissioners voted to recommend the rezoning and annexation of a 1.03-acre tract in the area designated S-5 (South-5) and approximately 39 acres located in an unincorporated island on Vickers Road along Ga. Highway 138. One rezoning and annexation, involving approximately 40 acres in the S-1 (South-1) on Gordon Road area was tabled for 30 days at the request of the property owner who was out of state.

The Planning Commission will consider other rezoning and annexations at its July 31 meeting. The city council will consider the rezoning and annexation recommendations Aug. 7.

Georgia General Assembly gave South Fulton cities until Oct. 30 to attempt annex as much of unincorporated South Fulton County as they desired. To date, South Fulton cities are considering the annexation of more than 20,000 acres of unincorporated land. By law, no annexations will be allowed after Oct. 30. The vote by residents of unincorporated South Fulton County to create the City of Chattahoochee Hills and the City of South Fulton will take place next summer. If unsuccessful, cities can continue to annex if desired.

Union City is currently advertising to increase the city’s tax rate by two mills to cover city expenses. Unknown to date is whether other cities attempting to annex large portions of unincorporated South Fulton will be able to do so without raising millage rates to accommodate the requirement to provide police, fire and other services to those annexed.