Decatur voters will keep a close eye on Tuesday’s election regarding the five separate bills collectively expanding the city’s homestead exemptions.
But another important election is one Decatur and Avondale Estates voters can only view from afar. Stonecrest in southeast DeKalb is attempting to become the ninth new metro Atlanta city government founded in the last decade. If it passes Stonecrest will have more than 50,000 people over nearly 30 square miles.
“Stonecrest has a big impact on any [immediate annexation],” said DeKalb Municipal Association Managing Director Bill Floyd. “My opinion is if Stonecrest fails, it kills everything. If Stonecrest passes then you might see Greenhaven back in the picture, and if that happens things could move quickly.
Greenhaven, as proposed last year, would’ve included 300,000 residents and assimilated territory coveted by both Avondale and Decatur. Greenhaven didn’t pass the legislature last March, but its supporters have remained active throughout the year.
Meantime, Decatur hasn’t produced a new annexation map, and City Manager Peggy Merriss told the AJC recently that might not happen until 2018.
“However,” she added, “if one of our [legislative] representatives comes to us in February, and says we need to produce a map pretty fast, then I think we could swing into gear.”
Avondale has drawn up a tentative plan that includes residential areas Forrest Hills, Decatur Terrace and Rockbridge Road, along with the American Legion property, the Rio Circle commercial district and the Farmer’s Market.
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