Do You Have Annexation Questions?
Decatur Metro | August 30, 2012 | 2:30 pmDeanne wrote in with some questions she had about the annexation discussion currently going on inside the walls of city hall and I wondered whether this might be a good opportunity to open up the floor to other outstanding questions you have about the city commission’s current push to evaluate whether Decatur should annex anymore property along its borders.
For now, here are Deanne’s questions…
1) Will the folks in the residential corridors next to the commercial properties have a vote? And do they only have to “win” 1 route to Suburban Plaza to take it?2) What are City’s reasons for considering [annexing] UMCH [United Methodist Children’s Home]?
I know that two Decatur residents are currently doing a detailed analysis of the financial implications of the different parcels under consideration for annexation, so we’ll soon have that piece. But for now, what else would you like clarified and/or detailed?
If the city commissioners or staff can’t answer your questions here, I’ll compile them and send them along in an email.
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What is the impact on DeKalb County if these areas are annexed by Decatur?
Thanks for this thread. I have a few questions that deal with the city’s annexation’s objectives. I don’t ask these to minimize or criticize the city’s stated objectives, but I have a some concerns about whether there are some unstated reasons for some of the annexation candidates (based on some comments by posters who appear to be more “plugged in” than I), and I believe that there should be full disclosure. It is also unclear to me how progressed this annexation process is, and how thoroughly so far the city has analyzed the cost/benefit. In other words, are they “spitballing” ideas on parcels where some property owners expressed interest off the cuff or are they presenting plans that have been thoroughly vetted by the city planners?
1. “Respond to interest from property owners.” I understand why some people who are in unincorporated Dekalb might want to be Decatur residents, but responding to inquiries can be done without annexation, so it is hard to see how this is an ojective of annexation. How many of these parcels are being considered soley because of inquiries from property owners?
2 “Consolidate partial parcels.” Does this mean annexing lots that are partially inside the city and partially outside, or does it mean making neighborhoods whole where some streets are in and some out? Either way, could someone please explain why this is important? After all, property development is dynamic, and aren’t there always going to be strange borders?
3. With respect to the proposed annexation areas, on a strictly revenue v. cost basis, there must be some uncertainty with respect to the number of students to CSD that could be added. I see the city has projected possible school attendance to 23% for the proposed annexed parcels. Is this based on current school attendance for families in Decatur, and has the city done any other projections that factor in a greater number of students?
4. What is the hierarchy of the objectives? For instance, is “Expanding the tax base” the most important objective, or are they all equal?
How many of our tuition families live in the areas being considered for annexation? Annexing the properties of tuition families will not increase enrollment, will decrease tuition income for CSD, and will increase COD tax revenues.
How many courtesy students live in areas being considered for annexation? Annexing the properties of those families will not increase enrollment, will not affect tuition income, and will increase COD tax revenues.
But how many tuition students actually exist? I mean, the schools are packed with residents and more and more new houses are being built over here in Oakhurst everyday (my two dozen count increased to 27 this week from the area around Oakhurst Elem. to CHECHLC). Tuition students will soon be a thing of the past, and those current ones would be extra counts no matter where they live.
Yeah, that was just my annexation question as per the thread topic. Not necessarily an important one. There’s still a ton of tuition students at the RMS and DHS levels, and some at Glennwood. If a lot of tuition students live in the annexation areas already that would reduce the immediate effect on enrollment. But eventually tuition students will be rare in CSD, annexation or not. It’s kind of too bad because tuition families tend to be totally psyched about CSD, all ready to volunteer, totally engaged with their kids’ education, because that’s the kind of family that chooses to pay tuition for a good school system. Many are professional families that choose CSD because it fits their family better than private school.
I’d like to know why a priority item for annexation is other residents’ interest but current CoD residents get no vote or choice. When Sandy Springs became a city, voters chose. Adding 20% to our population is huge and should not be decided by a few people on a commission.
I’m reserving judgment on whether some level of annexation is in our favor but, whatever shakes out, these aren’t just random people on a commission. They’re elected officials that we’ve entrusted with decisions like this. To punt an annexation decision over to the voters, thus dispersing accountability, would be a politically spineless maneuver.
I expect them to study the issue diligently, weigh the pros and cons, and then demonstrate the leadership of their positions. That’s why I voted for (some of) them in the first place.
I see where you are coming from, but I guess I feel it’s such a big deal in a lot of ways and leaving it up to a few commissioners seems… paternalistic? Make sense?
It does. I suppose my position is, if it’s put to a vote, you might get 1/2000th of a say in the matter. But if, when the time is right, you call your two south side commissioners and lay out a passionate, well founded argument against proceeding, you may end up affecting 2/5ths of a say in the matter. Put the commissioner at large on your hit list and it’s 3/5ths.
Better odds. Better accountability come election time.
I agree with Scott 100%. This is indeed a big deal — various ramifications, some of them potentially huge, and overall quite complex from both the municipal and school system perspectives. I think the bigger and more complex something is, the more important it is that the decision be an informed and insightful one. The odds of that are a lot better if the decision gets made in the commission room after careful study than in the yard sign arena. That said, the process — from initial information gathering through analysis and interpretation through final decision — needs to be open and transparent. And we should all feel free to communicate with our elected officials about it. (Somehow using the phrase “feel free to communicate” in this forum feels like preaching to the choir.)
Current residents get no choice because that’s the law. Annexation is not the same as a new city like Sandy Springs, etc.
I figured that, but I am not sure if I agree. I get what Scott and STG are saying but maybe I am just feeling distrustful of elected officials right now
Plus it seems wrong for the annexees to get to vote in but citizens can’t vote them out. Guess I better email Patti & Keisha my Agnes Scott sister.
The rules are intended to check the power of cities, giving support to anti-city forces fearing annexation or wannabe annexees confronted by no-growth city voters. In short, the legislature favors certain interests over others. The suburban and rural legislators distrust urbanites as much as urbanites distrust them.
State law: “Voting is limited to those persons who reside in the area to be annexed on the date of the adoption of the resolution and that are registered to vote for members of the General Assembly. If a majority of those voting cast votes in favor of the annexation, the area will become part of the municipality.” people can question the logic of the law but those are the rules. Wanna win the game? Rewrite the rules. But good luck with that. The rules are intended to check the power of cities, giving support to anti-city forces or potential annexes confronted by no-growth city voters. In short, the legislature favors certain interests over others.
State law: “Voting is limited to those persons who reside in the area to be annexed on the date of the adoption of the resolution and that are registered to vote for members of the General Assembly. If a majority of those voting cast votes in favor of the annexation, the area will become part of the municipality.” people can question the logic of the law but those are the rules.
Wanna win the game? Rewrite the rules. But good luck with that. The rules are intended to check the power of cities, giving support to anti-city forces or potential annexes confronted by no-growth city voters. In short, the legislature favors certain interests over others.
Decatur has some pretty generous homestead exemptions for senior citizens. Somebody had better check and see how many residents in the tracts considered for annexation would qualify!
I keep wondering if there’s any way to determine if there’s an increase of people moving out of Decatur [specifically empty nesters, people with no kids, people closer to retirement] and renting their homes [to younger families with kids].
If I had kids and wanted into city schools, and couldn’t afford private school or buying, I’d definitely rent. Meanwhile, my landlord (of the paid-for home or refinanced-at-crazy-low-rates home) would have moved elsewhere, with me basically helping them feather their retirement nest by paying for their investment property.
As a long-time renter, I am not dissing renters. I just wonder if, by creating a highly-competitive renting market powered by highly motivated parents, you don’t set the scene for explosive school enrollment growth. Again, I don’t know how you would calculate that scenario but if there’s any data, they should be working it into their model.
I don’t know how you’d begin to calculate something like that either, but it’s an interesting idea to consider. Patch had something yesterday showing homes for rent, and the rental income potential looks awesome.
http://decatur.patch.com/articles/house-hunt-single-family-homes-for-rent
If someone bought their home a while back and had a minimal mortgage, or none at all, I’d bet these rental numbers would look pretty attractive. Even if you gave a property manager a small cut, you’d still make out nicely.
Don’t forget to factor in the landlord’s property tax bill.
What I’m really wondering on the residential voting is who exactly gets a say-so by property?
* Owner occupied or rental single family residence- All registered voters living there?
* Duplexes, Apartments, and Assisted Living & Seniors Home- Do their residents who’ll likely be affected by increased rents get to vote too or are these regarded as commercial properties?
(DM- You ROCK!!! :0)
Property owners of residential properties in the proposed areas can vote, I assume one vote per deeded property. Tenants do not vote. If multi-family are in a commercial zoned area, I would imagine that counts as commercial for the purpose. Likewise senior housing, although I’d be pretty sure those are in commercial zones and I can’t think of any of those in the proposed areas.
You probably need to consult with a real estate attorney for a final opinion.
The 3 big properties along the march to Suburban Plaza are: North Decatur Gardens Apts and Decatur Christian Towers (a not for profit senior community) on Church St., and Medlock Gardens Assisted Living on Medlock Rd.
The property manager at North Decatur Gardens is very worried about the impact that passed along increases would have on her current tenants, many of whom are long term residents. (If annexed, this 1,2,3 Bdrms community’s definitely going to attract CSD families if there’s turnover.) I told her I’d be glad to pass along anything I can find out on it. I’m counting on the City to provide the answers to our questions—that’s what they said they’d do in the work session .
That property manager and other commercial owners and managers need to take into account the fact that their fire insurance rates will go down since Decatur has a much better fire insurance classification than then DeKalb County and that will offset some of the increase in taxes.
I’d have to double check, but I think it’s all registered voters in the annexed area that would be allowed to vote, if it comes to that, rather than one vote per household or property. The statue speaks of voting in an “area” and the city has defined several distinct “areas”, so it’s possible that the law requires a separate vote for each area.
As for city residents, it’s not required that we get a vote, but one of the many benefits of our small size is easy access to our elected officials. And don’t forget that BOTH the City Commission AND the School Board will have a say.
I am also interested in how voting would occur. My voting district would be split between annex areas and non-annex areas. How would people be notified of the vote and where would the voting be held? And if ownership of a house is split between two owners, do they both get to vote?
For those wanting to learn more about the law of annexations, seehttp://www.gmanet.com/Publications.aspx?CNID=19950.
When I looked at the law it looked like all registered voters in the annexation area could vote – with no regard for owner or renter status.
I would be glad to try and answer questions about annexation. There is a FAQ document posted to the City’s website and we would be glad to add questions and answers to that document.
The website link is: http://www.decaturga.com/index.aspx?page=660
Anyone can email me at [email protected] with questions. If you want to bundle the ones you are getting into a list and email them to me, those questions will also be added.
According to DM, one post said this on tuition – it was projected to be more than $750,000 in 2011. I haven’t checked the 2012 budget but I would imagine it’s about $1 million in revenues. I spoke to City Manager Peggy Merriss to ask about annexation of all 30030 Decatur unincorporated DeKalb neighborhoods. But that’s not going to happen.