Politics

Georgia House backs plan to create Eagle’s Landing city from part of Stockbridge

March 23, 2018 - Atlanta, Ga: House Speaker David Ralston speaks from the well as he honors the life of former Georgia Governor Zell Miller in the House Chamber during legislative day 38 at the Georgia State Capitol Friday, March 23, 2018, in Atlanta. The former governor and senator Zell Miller died Friday at the age of 86. PHOTO / JASON GETZ
March 23, 2018 - Atlanta, Ga: House Speaker David Ralston speaks from the well as he honors the life of former Georgia Governor Zell Miller in the House Chamber during legislative day 38 at the Georgia State Capitol Friday, March 23, 2018, in Atlanta. The former governor and senator Zell Miller died Friday at the age of 86. PHOTO / JASON GETZ
By Mark Niesse
March 28, 2018

Georgia representatives approved creating a new city of Eagle’s Landing, in part from land taken from the 98-year-old city of Stockbridge.

The House voted 102-67 to incorporate Eagle's Landing despite protests from dozens of Stockbridge residents at the Georgia Capitol on Tuesday.

Eagle's Landing supporters say cityhood is necessary so that residents can start a local government in Henry County with improved police, parks and other services.

But many Stockbridge residents say their city would lose nearly half its tax base and they could face tax increases as a result.

The city of Stockbridge has a current population of about 28,000, while the city of Eagle’s Landing would cover about 17,000 people. More than 9,000 of Eagle’s Landing’s residents would come from Stockbridge.

If Senate Bill 263 wins final approval in the state Senate and it's signed by Gov. Nathan Deal, residents within the borders of Eagle's Landing would vote this year on whether to incorporate.

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About the Author

Mark Niesse is an enterprise reporter and covers elections and Georgia government for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution and is considered an expert on elections and voting. Before joining the AJC, he worked for The Associated Press in Atlanta, Honolulu and Montgomery, Alabama. He also reported for The Daily Report and The Santiago Times in Chile.

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