From the Dunwoody Crier
(By Rebecca Chase Williams)
State representatives Mike Jacobs (R-North DeKalb) and Tom Taylor (R-Dunwoody) introduced legislation Tuesday to “create a path to annexation” for parts of North DeKalb to become part of the city of Dunwoody. House Bill 428 allows cities formed after 2008 (Dunwoody) to be able to annex nearby areas by simply drawing up a plan, holding public hearings, and passing a referendum on the proposal.
“There is enough interest in a possible annexation to open discussions,” Jacobs told The Crier. “It is time for someone to lead this discussion forward. I certainly intend to play a role in helping that to happen.”
Jacobs said the interest stems from increasing discontent with DeKalb county government: rising tax bills, fewer services, inefficient government and a lack of confidence that things are going to get better at the county.
A committee hearing on the proposed bill is expected to be held in the coming week, but Jacobs is optimistic that while there might be some opposition from members of the DeKalb delegation, he has the support of the Georgia Municipal Association and the Association of City and County Governments, mainly because the bill is limited to the city of Dunwoody. Jacobs said he is considering amending his bill to give North DeKalb residents the option of annexation to Chamblee as well since some neighborhoods abut that city and are interested in being part of that municipality.
“The main point that needs to get across is that there would be three options: a new city of Brookhaven, annexation to Dunwoody or Chamblee, or a combination of all three, “ said Jacobs. The state representative who lives near Harts Mill Road said his goal is to start the discussion, that his bill only creates “a path to annexation.”.
“You have to put the mechanism in place before you travel down that road. My plan is to have a core group in the next few months to start the conversation about where we are going to be city wise, “ explained Jacobs, who added that there is a big gap between interest in annexation and a fully vetted plan.
Options that have been discussed include expanding the city of Dunwoody, south of the current border at I-285, to include Perimeter Summit or the rest of the PCID, going as far south as Wieuca Road or even Peachtree Road. That would include neighborhoods like Murphey Candler (including the park), West Nancy Creek, Byrnwyck, and the neighborhoods around Silver Lake including Hampton Hall, Cambridge Park, Brittany.
Dunwoody officials say any plan would have to be thoroughly researched. Mayor Ken Wright said the council has not discussed this possibility,
“I do know that Representative Jacobs says he has been getting a stronger and stronger message from residents that they want more local control of their community. If there is a desire of these areas to join the city of Dunwoody, it would be something that needs to be studied and looked at by myself, council and our community.”
Jacobs is scheduled to speak to the Murphey Candler Homeowners’ this month about the potential annexation, and plans to schedule larger community meetings once the bill is voted on this session. If the bill is passed, if there is enough interest and a specific plan can be drawn up, residents could vote within the year to move from unincorporated DeKalb County to a municipality.
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