College Ave Annexation Goes Before State Legislature This Week
Decatur Metro | January 25, 2010As first reported here on DM, Decatur and Avondale Estates have revived their attempt to pass state legislation that would annex 32 commercial parcels between their two borders. This morning, the AJC’s April Hunt reports that this is the week when state legislators will review the plan.
In terms of its chances getting 10 DeKalb delegation signatures to bring it to a House vote, Hunt writes that Rep. Benfield is optimistic.
The owners haven’t changed their stance, but state Rep. Stephanie Stuckey Benfield said she is “encouraged” by talks with DeKalb’s 20 other House members who might support a vote. Ten delegation signatures are required for a House vote.
“We are getting an early start this year,” Benfield said. “I’ve been optimistic that this is the year.”
This squares with a comment Rep. Benfield made to me a couple weeks back, when I first covered this issue, saying “I think I’ve got a good chance of passing it this session.”
As was well documented in comments to the previous post, a majority of business owners (7 of 9, I believe) along the “seedy” strip oppose the annexation. They argue that the annexation attempt is a land-grab with monetary motives, while Avondale mayor Ed Rieker asserts it’s a way to square the two cities borders, provide better police services and force business owners to clean up their properties. Though not quoted in the AJC article, Decatur City Manager Peggy Merriss confirmed to DM a couple weeks back that the city of Decatur was “in support of closing the gap between the city limits.”
According to the AJC, the opposition will lobby against the annexation at the State Capitol today.
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Anyone know whether this has any influence on whether the properties off of Katie Kerr and the Forest Hills and Midway Woods neighborhoods will be annexed?
AnnexMe, this legislation only concerns 32 commercial properties along College Ave between the Decatur and Avondale city limits. No residential.
No residential…clearly they want to “close the gap” between the cities only where it suits them.
I don’t get it. Do cities ever pursue annexation where it doesn’t suit them?
Joe, get your facts right. The city of Avondale has done mostly residential annexation for the last 25 years. The reason for seeking only business was to round out the city limits and get rid of the “No Mans Land’ and enhance the tax base. A general rule of thumb is for Commercial every dollar spent you collect two in taxes, for residential every dollar collected in taxes you spend two.
Its also evident that the two cities haven’t exactly been treated nicely in their efforts to grow. it has always been our hope that people would want to be in our cities to both enjoy a a better quality of life and improved property values.
Now…armed with this information, please rethink you position and ask yourself does our stand have any merit?
I for one welcome the residents of the A. Station apartments and think they would enhance our city.
No, I do not think that is on the table for this session. I think it is something the City of Dec. wants long term but does not have the support of those living there right now. I think the Sam’s crossing annexation is the main goal this year!
Another two cents worth:
Avondale Estates is not asking to annex the apartment complex next door to Twin Oaks Shopping Center. If the proposed annexation goes through this will create an island of un-incorporated DeKalb County inside Avondale’s borders. The apartment complex does back up to the areas of Forrest Hills, Decatur Heights and a strip of Katie Kerr homes, however there is NO access to the complex except through Avondale Estates. If the AE Mayor and Commissioners wanted to close the gap with Decatur and clean up the gateway then why not take the apartment complex also ?
In my opinion, it is because they don’t want another 1000 or so residents/voters. These residents would at least have a VOTE in the annexation process unlike the commercial property owners and business owners.
I still feel this is, in some measure, a way to grab more tax dollars for the AE budget, not only from the annual property tax but also the annual personal property tax and an additional portion of monthly sales taxes from the businesses. It will also decrease the value of the commercial property for the owners through increased zoning restrictions.
Thanks DM. I appreciate what your reporting has done for sharing information in our community. (despite comments from the peanut gallery, like mine)
Good observation DG.
I didn’t catch the significance of that little bump out in the map until you posted this.
IMO this is absolutely a revenue grab that will also provide potential control over what goes on on those properties. Is that wrong?
If I owned one of those parcels I’d be screaming, but as a Decaturite, I’m kind of for it.
Amen…. Do we remember the Louisiana Purchase? WOW, what a piece of annexation! Or how about Sewards Folly? (thats when we bought Alaska for a pitance)
Think about it……..if we never grew or made any changes the way some of these people think we would not be where we are today
Is it definitely the case that Decatur and/or AE would impose zoning conditions that decrease the value? Certainly the uses and forms may be restricted, but is there a possibility that more intense uses could be allowed? e.g. higher density if you promise to shut down your strip joint?
Ok, lets ask the nice people in the Avonwood Subdivision about annexation.
They were having problems with through traffic off of beech Dr. off Memorial Dr. The traffic and associated foot traffic were causing headaches and crimes against property in the area.
So, they sought the help of the Dekalb Co. Government. “Please close the street the residents said! NO, cried the County. So, not having a government that was responsive to their needs they sought annexation to the City of Avondale. Have they been happy since? I think so, we closed the street as they asked (per their request) and property crimes dropped dramaticly.
Also, their property values DID NOT go down. On the contrary, property in the city is generally held at a premium. We keep our streets clean and safe. I think people should stand up and scream the benefits of our town and its sister to the west (Decatur)!
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
It may be obvious to many that I am unashamedly in favor of the two cities. I do not apologize for it. I am not a elitist and don’t consider myself any better than anyone else, but I do seek a nice environment to live. I am only speaking up because I am tired of only hearing from the naysayers and negative folks. if I have offended anyone it was not my intention, but I realize it could have taken place. I say that because I was offended by their comments and wanted to counter. I apologize if anyone was personally offended by anything I said, but I stand by it still.
I also invite people to check out our cities and see if there isn’t more good there than you know!
As a Decaturite, I’m really hopeful this happens too. That area is a bit of an eyesore. I want it annexed though because at the least it needs sidewalks and crosswalks. Walking from the Avondale MARTA stop to Avondale is a hazard.
Jeepers, yeah, Avondale has done such a grand job within it existing borders why shouldn’t they add more….
Look at their vacancy rate, and don’t miss the ongoing shabbiness of the whole town. They have committees for Historic Preservation and Business Development and blah blah blah. The reality is there is a lot of ‘ We are gonna do this and that” but they are a pain in the butt to deal with. Oh, and don’t miss the proposal at the planning meeting last month that they install a new sign at the entrance to the city for $20,000. Is it just me or does that seem a bit over the top. Especially when they are looking at legislatively usurping adjacent land for more tax revenue.
Lets review
Population 2550 folks,
$2.7M budget
and
47 city employees hmmm.
The biggest commercial project completed in the last 15 years in Avondale is City Hall.
Interesting the Rep Bennie is going full steam ahead when the majority of property owners are giving it the thumbs down.
As to property values, they will go down. If for no other reason than that Avondale has lower density zoning than Dekalb.
Perhaps a more appropriate move is for Avondale to disincorporate and go away. Really, are they anything more the another layer of unnecessary government.
oop, there I go ranting again
Avondale residents gladly pay the taxes to afford them the lifestyle that they have. The only reason more projects haven’t gotten off the ground is because there is always somebody who is against something.
I would be if I gave you a block of gold, you would complain about how heavy it was