Kennesaw to consider subdivision de-annexation

After delaying a decision on Oct. 15, the Kennesaw City Council is expected to discuss whether or not to grant a de-annexation request for a subdivision to join unincorporated Cobb County during its 6:30 p.m. meeting on Nov. 5.

The proposal has been submitted by Greysen Manor Subdivision property owners who are represented by Debra Williams, president of the subdivision’s HOA.

With the final plat approved in November 2000, the subdivision of 25 lots on 13.3 acres was annexed from the county into Kennesaw in December 1999 and rezoned R-15 with a minimum 2,400-square-foot house size.

The city’s Planning Commission and Kennesaw Zoning Administrator Darryl Simmons are recommending denial of the de-annexation request.

Simmons’ reasons include:

• Land use policy for maintaining service delivery should remain consistent. The de-annexation of neighborhoods - built to city standards and inspected by city jurisdiction - opens a liability issue for both jurisdictions.
• There is no direct evidence of the city failing to deliver services to the neighborhood.
• Regional impact to the land use policy for Cobb County - and all the cities where city boundaries can be amended in a large scale - will create a shift in enforcement, inspection duties and additional maintenance to Cobb County regarding streets and infrastructure.
• Reduction of the city limits - for reasons outside of failure to provide services - is inconsistent with empowered legislation from the state of Georgia to municipalities.
• Cobb County will be responsible for administration and enforcement of variances and all entitlements granted by the city of Kennesaw.