The city has released its final version of it’s Annexation Master Plan today and there don’t seem to be any major changes/additions to the info/recommendations from the initial draft map (above) OR the financial analysis (net positive for the city) OR the impact on the city’s schools (most enrollment growth will come from inside the existing city limits, annexation is a net gain for CSD).

There is a note about needing to build another Fire Station if it wants to maintain a Class 2 ISO rating for fire services, which I don’t immediately recall seeing before, but everything else looks like it was covered previously.

At the end, the City Manager recommends adopting a resolution that asks the General Assembly to adopt a resolution that would annex the proposed annexation areas in the 2015 session.

UPDATE: Decaturish reports that Ms. Pearce was a stylist at True Salon in Marietta and that the salon was closed today as they mourned their friend and colleague.

From Decatur Police Sgt. Jennifer Ross…

On December 6, 2014 at approximately 10:55 pm, Decatur Police responded to a deceased person call in the 100 block of East Ponce de Leon Avenue. Witnesses reported noticing the victim laying on the ground as they were exiting a parking area. Preliminary investigation revealed the victim was shot. A murder investigation is ongoing at this time.

Update: The victim has been identified as 44-year-old Karen Pearce of Smyrna, Georgia. We have been able to confirm Ms. Pearce left a local restaurant and was walking in an area adjacent to where her vehicle was parked. Witnesses reported hearing a gunshot in the area just prior to the discovery of Ms. Pearce’s body. However, the cause of death has not yet been determined. Investigators are working around the clock to identify a motive and suspect in this case. If you have any information please contact the Decatur Police Department at 404/373-6551 or Crimestoppers at 404/577-TIPS or online at http://www.crimestoppersatlanta.org/index .

From the Decatur Minute…

Oakhurst streetscape contractor CMES will continue preliminary construction activities and will begin removal of several trees in the project area on December 8. Three large trees to be removed have been repeatedly damaged by utility line clearance. Other trees to be removed are in areas that will be impacted by new, wider sidewalks and more generous outdoor dining areas. Because the off-street parking lot at Harmony Park will be removed to increase the size of the park, one large tree will be removed to provide an area for replacement angled parking.

Changes to the landscape are always dramatic. However, new trees will be planted throughout the project area as part of the streetscape improvements, including large shade trees where not in conflict with overhead utilities.