Front Page Annexation
Decatur Metro | March 5, 2010Decatur and Avondale Estates’ College Avenue annexation bid hits the front page of the AJC this morning, with a big ‘ol article on all things PROPERTY.
The article features all the reoccurring arguments and views in our ongoing debate: the effects of gentrification, the predicted value of property after annexation, the legal right of cities to annex without property owner consent, and arguments pro (Finders Keepers’ Bonnie Kallenberg) and con (property owner Joe Gargiulo).
April Hunt’s piece gives a very good overview of the situation, but honestly doesn’t feel very timely since the bill to annex the commercial parcels along the strip is currently without a needed 10th vote from the DeKalb delegation, which is the only way to usher it onto the House floor. But I guess since it’s made its way out of the AJC’s Metro section and onto the front page, it might be an interesting read for Cobb County residents!
“Oh Dekalb cities, you so crazy!”
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I am sensing a high level of burn-out on this story.
Personally, I thought the story missed the point. On the one hand you have an opponent who owns a car repair shop who is afraid annexation will drive her out of business. I was very unclear how annexation could drive her out of business, other than by slightly increasing her taxes.
And on the other hand you have a property owner who opposes annexation because it’ll make it harder for him to sell to developers who want to redevelop the property. These two have exactly the opposite interests and both oppose annexation.
It sounds to me like development is coming, like it or not. Might as well annex so that you can end up with better development, rather than worse.