Comments on: Decatur Receives More Annexation Requests, Will Consider Large Parkwood Annexation in April

By: pbfruit

pbfruit — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 15:51:06 +0000

This house *just* came on market for $799K. I thought they weren’t just start selling their house after annexed… something tells me this is the first of many to come.

http://www.redfin.com/GA/Decatur/130-E-Parkwood-Rd-30030/home/23869470/fmls-5264321

By: Peter in Decatur

Peter in Decatur — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 06:13:33 +0000

Brian: according to the DM post: Decatur: Meet the proposed annexation areas from 12/5/12, the 2 considered areas are 97% and 62% commercial and would add 511 residents to the city, 42 of whom are under 16 and eligible for CSD schools. Those were 2012 numbers and maybe not completely apples to canteloupes, so no idea as of now, but best I could find. The revenues exceeded the expenditures for both areas in that post and Wal-Mart was already a consideration at that point, but again, those were 2012 numbers.

Deanne is right, Wal-Mart smells money and will not be dissuaded, regardless of who controls the land. They’ll make a mint, which their financial model can validate. As a former cart guy and cashier at Sam’s Club (my father also worked claims for 7 years), I have a defined opinion, but, to quote Taoism, we’ll see. Re: that strip mall in general, I think people would gain more benefit &/or control by pushing for the Clifton corridor or other transit than trying to influence which brands open up shop there.

By: smalltowngal

smalltowngal — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 22:31:41 +0000

It’s not love & kisses across the board. Check the archive for the lengthy and lively discussion about this a few weeks ago. You’ll see there are plenty of folks whose hair catches on fire whenever they hear of even one house with kids (or with the potential to attract kids) being brought into Decatur’s school orbit.

By: Deanne

Deanne — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 21:59:21 +0000

Walmart’s a signed tenant and ready and rarin’ to go when Selig is. What Walmart’s opinion is of City of Decatur’s annexation attempts, I could not say. I could certainly make a strong guess, though..!!. ;0)

By: brianc

brianc — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 21:49:28 +0000

I was actually thinking more about whether Walmart would choose to walk away if annexed or if they would not care. And I agree about not prohibiting businesses that comply with zoning.

By: Deanne

Deanne — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 21:44:05 +0000

Annexation would have no effect on Selig’s already approved redevelopment plans. Should Selig want to do something different in the future, their plans would be reviewed by whatever government is in charge and any needed variances would have to go through the same processes as any other developers’ plans.

Not directed at you at all, Brian, but this seems a good time to clear something up: there’s this odd notion by some folks that governments can tell commercial property owners who their tenants can be. Unless there’s something on the books restricting a certain type of business, that’s pretty much not the case. (Well, they could try but the government would likely find themselves in court.)

By: Deanne

Deanne — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 21:40:21 +0000

Why bless your heart…