Keeping you updated on events around Peachtree Corners check out this article in the AJC Lite.
By David Wickert
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Armed with a new study that shows that an incorporated Peachtree Corners would be financially viable, a citizens group plans to launch a new effort to incorporate the neighborhood north of Norcross.
Proponents are drafting a proposed charter for a “city lite” that would provide a few key services such as zoning and code enforcement.
Many details remain to be worked out. And state legislators, voters and Gwinnett County officials must still approve the plans. But the idea of incorporating Peachtree Corners appealed to many of the roughly 150 people who attended a community meeting Monday night.
“I think it’s definitely something we need to put in place,” said resident Nat Burton. “It’s a matter of control. Do we want to control our destiny?”
Residents have talked about incorporating Peachtree Corners for years. Many want to ensure the area maintains its distinctive character and isn’t swallowed up by a neighboring city, like Norcross.
But to date the talk has not led Peachtree Corners to become Gwinnett County’s 16th city.
In 2005 members of the United Peachtree Corners Civic Association voted overwhelmingly against incorporation. And earlier this year legislation that would have allowed communities like Peachtree Corners to provide limited services – a sort of “city lite” – failed to clear the legislature.
Now advocates may try a new tactic. They’re pressing for local legislation in the next session of the General Assembly that would allow Peachtree Corners to incorporate and provide limited services. The local legislation would need the approval of the Gwinnett County delegation, but not the full legislature.
Rep. Tom Rice, R-Norcross, supports the legislation. He said he wants to ensure residents get a chance to vote on incorporation.
If the legislation passes and is signed by the governor, Peachtree Corners residents would vote on incorporation as soon as next year. The final hurdle: approval by Gwinnett County commissioners.
The civic association is drafting a proposed charter that would spell out city services and other particulars.
Association President Mike Mason said Peachtree Corners would provide only land-use planning and zoning services, code enforcement and trash collection, leaving other services such as police and fire protection to Gwinnett County.
On Monday the civic association unveiled a study by the Carl Vinson Institute of Government at the University of Georgia that shows an incorporated Peachtree Corners could generate enough revenue to pay for those basic services and cover other costs like elections and administration.
The study assumed the city would raise money from planning and zoning fees, utility franchise fees and property taxes. Based on the cost of services for similar cities around the region, the study concluded that Peachtree Corners could run a surplus of about $2.3 million annually.
According to the study, Peachtree Corners had an estimated 2008 population of more than 34,000.
Support for incorporation is not universal. Opponents in the past have objected to additional property taxes and have raised other concerns. And on Monday some residents quizzed the study’s author on his financial assumptions.
Mason said a public vote on incorporation will be crucial to its success or failure.
“We want the people to say, we love the idea (or) we don’t want the idea,” he said.
