The Fulton County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday deadlocked on three proposals to allow Atlanta to annex a total of 1,026 acres in south Fulton. But the annexation attempts will move forward anyway.
On a series of 2-2 votes, commissioners essentially took no action on motions to deny the annexations. Under state law, commissioners could only object to the annexations if there were significant zoning changes. Annexation supporters say they have enough signatures from residents of the affected area to proceed, and the measures now go to the Atlanta City Council for final approval.
The city is trying to take in 271 acres in the Loch Lomond neighborhood, 706 acres in the Sandtown community and 49 acres in South Oak. They are largely residential areas, and that wouldn’t change if they’re annexed into the city.
But the annexations could force nearly 2,000 students to change schools. That’s because students in the annexed areas would have to attend existing Atlanta schools, while unincorporated students attending two county schools in the annexed areas would transfer to other county schools.
Several dozen residents from the areas asked the commission to reject or postpone action on the annexations. They cited what they said is evidence that annexation supporters did not gather enough valid signatures to move the proposals forward.
“Do the right think now and stop this reckless effort by the City of Atlanta,” parent David Hartwell urged commissioners.
But County Attorney David Ware said there were no legal grounds on which commissioners could object. He said state law gives the City of Atlanta – not the county – the responsibility to verify the signatures. He said opponents can make their case to the City Council.
Frustrated county commissioners deadlocked on how to proceed. But they agreed to ask Atlanta to hold off on the annexations until the school issues could be resolved in court.
In March, Atlanta filed a lawsuit to overturn a state law that forces residents in annexed areas to join the city school district. If the city wins, parents might be able to choose to join APS or remain in Fulton County schools.
Commissioners also suggested the state law that limited the county’s options should be changed to allow them to consider the concerns parents and others expressed Wednesday.
“I don’t like that law,” Commissioner Marvin Arrington said. “Just because I don’t like it doesn’t mean it’s not the law.”
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