Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Annexation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Henry County commissioners deny Stockbridge annexation request for 24.995 acres citing fire-service, land-use concerns
Summary
The board voted to object to a City of Stockbridge annexation and rezoning request for nearly 25 acres planned for a 321-unit multifamily development, citing a change in land use and concerns that annexation would increase demands on county fire and public safety services.
The Henry County Board of Commissioners on Wednesday voted to deny (recorded as an objection) a request by the City of Stockbridge to annex 24.995 acres west of Fupe Drive and north of Geodeco Road and to rezone the property for a proposed multifamily residential project that included a conceptual plan for 321 units.
County staff and the district commissioner presented the request and recommended denial. Staff said the property is currently zoned C-3 (highway commercial) with a county future land-use designation of high-density mixed-use, which anticipates a blend of commercial and residential uses. The City of Stockbridges rezoning request to city high-density residential would limit uses to residential, staff said, and the change would conflict with the countys adopted plan.
County reviewers and the district commissioner also raised public-safety concerns. Staff noted that the county provides fire protection to properties inside the countys unincorporated areas that lie within incorporated pockets; if the property were annexed the city would approve permits and fire-related approvals that are not shared with the county, potentially leaving county fire responders without access to critical fire-related permit information during emergencies. The district commissioner said annexation and the proposed rezoning would increase the countys burden for fire and police services.
Following discussion, a motion was made to deny the annexation request for the stated purposes; the motion carried. The board recorded its objection on the annexation, rezoning and comprehensive-plan amendment on the basis that the change would materially alter land use and increase public-safety burdens for the county.
What was decided and why: The boards action formally opposes the City of Stockbridges annexation and related land-use changes, citing conflicts with Henry Countys future land-use designation and concerns about the impact on county fire and police services. The board did not approve annexation, rezoning or plan amendment and took no further action to alter county services at the meeting.
Next steps: The Countys resolution of objection will be transmitted to the City of Stockbridge and recorded in the countys minutes; any further action will depend on the citys process and any follow-up negotiations between jurisdictions.
