Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Five Methods of Annexation and How They Work

In the current debate over cityhood for Peachtree Corners, much has been said and written on the matter of annexation. Some have declared, apparently with omnipotent knowledge, that if we don’t incorporate we WILL be annexed. Others have hysterically claimed that we will be ‘gobbled up’ by one or more of our neighboring cities and Peachtree Corners would ‘cease to exist’.

Missing from the discussion is the truth about how annexation happens. There are five methods by which land can be annexed into a city, briefly explained below:

1. Local Legislation Method: the General Assembly can amend a city’s charter and annex land into the city. But if the area is more than 50% residential, or the population exceeds 500 people, the annexation must be approved by referendum.

2. 100 Percent Method: must be initiated by the ‘written and signed applications of all the owners of land’ proposed to be annexed.

3. 60 Percent Method: requires written and signed applications from at least 60% of the voters AND the owners of at least 60% of the land.

4. Resolution and Referendum Method: by resolution of the annexing city AND referendum of the voters in the area to be annexed.

5. Annexation of Unincorporated Islands: only applies to areas of unincorporated land surrounded by an existing municipality.

There are additional qualifications to each of these methods regarding the amount of contiguous borders, crossing publicly owned lands, crossing rivers, etc, that are more technical than the needs of this discussion. If you would like to read more legalese on the subject check the resources are of our Blog.

Bottom line- don’t let the proponents of cityhood scare you into believing that you will annexed into Norcross (or Duluth, Berkeley Lake, Johns Creek or Dunwoody) against your will. You will get the chance to vote on any such annexation.

Posted By: Bob

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