Decatur delays annexation for at least 2 years

Large-scale annexation is off the table in Decatur for the next two years.

After weighing for more than a year whether to add two large neighborhoods and several commercial properties to the city borders, the city commission on Tuesday night voted unanimously to defer any decision.

“It appears we have time for some breathing room to get better data and do more research,” said city manager Peggy Merriss, who recommended the delay.

The city will still consider smaller annexations - of some smaller commercial properties along College Avenue heading east toward Avondale Estates and of residential properties that are now bisected by the city borders.

But the delay on larger projects drew spontaneous applause from the meeting’s audience, many of whom lived in the areas being eyed by Decatur. Although one business owner spoke out in favor of annexation on Clairmont Avenue, all of the residents who addressed the commission said they would fight any effort to take their neighborhoods into the city.

“We feel like we’re fighting off pirates,” said Duane Weiskircher, who lives near the Suburban Plaza shopping center on North Decatur Road.

Mayor Bill Floyd said the delay will give DeKalb County time to absorb the loss of Dunwoody, which he expects to raise county taxes. That would kill the argument by many who oppose being gobbled up by the city who don’t want their property taxes increased.

The delay also gives the city school district time to plan for its already-growing school population, to see how it could accommodate an estimated 400-600 new students.

The school board in December voted not to support annexing the residential and commercial properties.