Forrest Hills Annexation into Avondale Estates What Do You Need to Know?

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1 Forrest Hills Annexation into Avondale Estates What Do You Need to Know? Annexation Petition: An annexation petition will be circulated in the coming weeks seeking signatures from Forrest Hills (FH) residents to approve FH s consideration for annexation into the City of Avondale Estates (AE) by the 60% annexation method (see attachment). Once the required 60% is met, the petition will be submitted to AE for approval. City of Decatur: Following discussions with City of Decatur (Decatur) officials, annexation into Decatur is not a viable or realistic option. FH is not included in Decatur s current annexation map and Decatur is not currently accepting annexation petitions (see attachment). City of DeKalb and Other Annexation/Incorporation: Several unincorporated areas of DeKalb County (County), most of which surround FH including Druid Hills, Briarcliff, Lakeside, and Tucker, are currently considering annexation or cityhood (see attachment). As a result, the County is examining the anticipated loss of revenue due to annexation/incorporation and evaluating forming a City of DeKalb with the remaining unincorporated portions of the County, including FH. This city could ultimately lead to higher taxes and lesser services, prevent future options of annexation into nearby cities, and be run by the same officials currently running the County. Annexation into AE is an opportunity to be welcomed by an adjacent community with similar interests, while avoiding the potential risks of a City of DeKalb. Following discussions with city/county officials, annexation is no longer if, but when and where. Property Taxes: FH property taxes are expected to increase upon annexation into AE. Property taxes, including both county and city taxes, for homes in FH and AE with the same tax assessed value of $209,000 in 2013 were $2,726 and $3,395, respectively a difference of $669 (see attachment). This increase represents additional services provided by AE and not offered by the County and does not take into account increased property values discussed below. Properties with homestead exemptions, including those for seniors and disabled veterans, would retain their exemptions, as these exemptions are County-directed rather than AE-related. Property Values: FH property values are expected to increase over time upon annexation into AE based on comparisons of home sales in both FH and AE during the last 6 months (see attachment). These comparisons were organized by a regional real estate agency specializing in FH and AE home sales. Codes and Ordinances: AE codes and ordinances for homes, buildings, and small businesses, including home businesses, as well as parking and traffic, are the same as current County codes and would remain the same in FH. The current Avondale Historic District, which is under the National Register of Historic Places and does not encompass FH, is the only exception. Yard signs previously restricted in AE are no longer restricted. School District: School zoning for FH and AE is governed by the County School Board. Unlike Decatur, AE does not have its own school system and AE and FH are currently located in the same Druid Hills High School District. AE offers local representation and influence through its Board of Mayor and Commissioners should the County reconsider FH s school district in the future. AE was a key influence in FH not ultimately being included in the Towers High School District during redistricting in Security: AE employs one police officer for every 228 AE residents while the County employs one police officer for every 773 unincorporated County residents. AE plans to hire two additional police officers to patrol FH upon annexation. In addition to increased patrol, AE offers out-of-town home security checks, a motorized neighborhood watch network, and the same emergency, SWAT, and helicopter support services provided by the County. Other Benefits: AE has proposed to maintain Walter s Woods at no additional expense. AE is a Lifelong Community that actively addresses aging in place. AE offers a domestic partnership registry, free notary services, backdoor trash pickup twice per week, bagless leaf services, and access to tennis courts and lake fishing. AE provides a local voice and proactive, responsive city governance. AE is revitalizing its downtown, including recent additions of Pallookaville, the Bishop, and Wild Heaven Brewery, following developer setbacks resulting from the real estate market crash.

2 Annexation/Incorporation Maps for Avondale Estates, Decatur, Briarcliff, Lakeside, and Tucker

3 60% Annexation Method In Georgia, there are five ways for cities to annex land: (1) local legislation method, (2) 100% method, (3) 60% method, (4) resolution and referendum method, and (5) annexation of unincorporated islands. FH is currently pursuing the 60% method for annexation into AE. Though AE has expressed interest in annexing FH, it is FH s responsibility to organize and submit a petition to AE to be considered for annexation under the 60% method. Primarily, the petition must include signatures from at least: (1) 60% of the registered voters in the area; and (2) 60% of the owners of land area by acreage. In addition to signatures, the 60% method requires that the areas considered for annexation be contiguous to the municipal boundary of the annexing city. Contiguous areas are defined as any area of which at least one-eighth of the aggregate external boundary abuts the municipal boundary and FH satisfies this requirement with AE. As stated in the flyer, a petition will be circulated in the coming weeks seeking signatures from FH residents to approve FH s consideration for annexation into AE by the 60% method. Once the required 60% is met, the petition will be submitted to AE for approval. For more information on annexation methods in Georgia, please visit:

4 Recent Decatur Annexation Articles Decatur Has No Intention of Accepting More Annexation Petitions as Master Plan is Developed Decatur Metro June 24, 2014 ( There s been a lot of talk recently regarding Decatur annexation over the past couple of months, as the City Commission has accepted large parcel annexations of the Parkwood neighborhood and a recent 31 parcel annexation along South Columbia and Derrydown Way. At the June 16th Decatur City Commission meeting, in response to a question from Commissioner Fred Boykin, City Manager Peggy Merriss mentioned that the city was working on an Annexation Master Plan. So we followed up with her to get further details on a) what is it? b) how does it affect future annexation petitions from neighboring property owners? c) what s the timeline? Here is Ms. Merriss reply The goal of the Annexation Master Plan is to develop a proposal for the future Decatur city limits given that it still appears likely that the central and northern parts of DeKalb County will be part of some city in the next 3-5 years. The plan would have to take into account: current and future land use and zoning potential development and redevelopment possibilities demographics both existing conditions and future projections service delivery requirements and costs both for the City and for the City Schools revenue projections technical information such as maps, a survey and identification of significant public and private institutions The intent would be to have a plan that would be adopted by the City Commission and the Board of Education that would be provided to the DeKalb delegation of the Georgia General Assembly for a local bill. It would certainly be more efficient if there was a single bill with one comprehensive annexation attached. At this point we do not intend to accept annexation petitions. We are asking people who indicate interest to collect petitions that can be submitted with the master plan. The time frame for the annexation master planning process would be to start the technical work this summer and then do the public work in early fall so that we can have a plan ready for consideration in November. Druid Hills Considering Becoming Part of Atlanta Decatur Metro August 1, 2014 ( The rush for cityhood continues. From the AJC Residents in the Druid Hills neighborhood, one of the oldest and wealthiest communities in the Atlanta area, will soon consider a key question about their future: Should they stay or go? In coming months, residents will decide whether to remain part of unincorporated DeKalb County or join the city of Atlanta.

5 The Druid Hills area, which includes Emory University and the Fernbank Museum of Natural History, has the potential to change Atlanta s tax base, educational system, racial makeup and political landscape if it s annexed. About 4,500 Druid Hills households will be mailed informational materials about their options in the next two or three weeks. Later this fall, they ll be asked to complete surveys about their preference, said Anne Wallace, chairwoman of the Druid Hills Civic Association 2014 Citizens Survey Committee. And for those of you wondering whether Decatur is any part of this conversation, there s this Some Druid Hills residents have suggested that their neighborhood become a city, join the proposed city of Briarcliff- Lakeside or become part of the city of Decatur. None of those options appears likely, in large part because Emory University has expressed concerns about joining a new city that could divide its campus. As for Decatur, the city school system is already at its capacity and its government doesn t want to add more residential properties.

6 Property Tax Comparison

7 Property Value Comparison Recent home sales comparisons for similarly sized homes during the 6 month period ending July 31, 2014: Forrest Hills Address Year BR/BA Date Sales Price Built Sold 1235 Walker Drive /1.5 3/27/14 $217, Walker Drive /1 5/30/14 $180, Walker Drive /1.5 7/11/14 $219, Forrest Blvd /2 7/31/14 $250,000 Avondale Estates Address Year BR/BA Date Sales Price Built Sold 3110 Majestic Circle /2 6/13/14 $300, Wynn Drive /2 6/19/14 $299, Kensington Road /2 6/22/14 $301, Exeter Road /2 6/27/14 $385,000 9 Dartmouth Avenue /2 6/30/14 $334, Forrest Boulevard (Forrest Hills) Purchase Price: $250,000 Sale Date: 7/31/14 BR/BA: 3/2 SQ Footage: 1, Wynn Drive (Avondale Estates) Purchase Price: $299,000 Sale Date: 6/19/14 BR/BA: 3/2 SQ Footage: 1,950